What is post-traumatic growth?
We often discuss the challenges and hardships of coping with life after brain injury, and this is sadly an all-too-common experience for many brain injury survivors. However, for some, over time there can be a renewed appreciation of life or a desire to do good or kind acts for others. This experience of positive change following a traumatic period is known as post-traumatic growth (PTG).
Other examples of experiences associated with PTG are...
changed priorities;
an increased sense of personal strength;
an awakened or renewed sense of spirituality;
more meaningful personal relationships;
spending more time with family and friends;
changing career path;
development of new hobbies/ interests;
an increased appreciation of nature.
PTG is not limited to brain injury survivors’ experiences; people who have suffered trauma from other means can experience it as well. Nor does the positivity of PTG completely replace feelings such as loss, anger, anxiety and depression so common to survivors; these are still very normal feelings to have at any stage of brain injury, even alongside experiences of PTG.
Why do some people experience post-traumatic growth after brain injury?
Recognition of what could have been
While experiencing a brain injury can undoubtedly be an incredibly difficult thing, for some people there is a renewed appreciation of their life and a recognition of what could have been if, for example, they were not diagnosed quickly enough or not rushed to hospital in time following their injury.
People may recognise how important the time they have with family and friends is after going through a traumatic event, which can give a deeper significance to these relationships and future opportunities.
Determination to overcome impairment
Some people may feel that they do not want the injury and the impact of it to hold them back from what they could achieve, giving them a greater sense of determination to achieve their goals, or set new goals for themselves. In fact, some research suggests that a higher level of impairment following brain injury is more likely to trigger PTG, as there may be more determination from the survivor to overcome their impairment.
Break in usual routine
It has also been suggested that for some people, the break in their usual routine offers more time to reflect on what is important to them and offers an opportunity to change their direction in life. Someone working in a regular 9am-5pm job before their injury may no longer be able to work the same hours afterwards, but find that this gives them more time to pursue hobbies they have been wanting to do for a while but never had the time to explore before their injury.
Supporting others
It may be that some people, having gone through the trauma of brain injury, feel a deep and personal desire to support others who have gone through similar hardships. They may want to use their experiences to benefit others, so that others who are new to brain injury do not have to feel so confused or alone with their experiences.
Reassessing and rebuilding
For some, the traumatic event may have completely changed their world and outlook on life, and through PTG they reassess and rebuild what is important to them.
Feeling positive after brain injury
Remember that there is no right or wrong way to feel after brain injury, and no survivor should ever be made to feel like they have to feel positive. It is perfectly normal to feel grief and a sense of loss after brain injury. Furthermore, everyone’s experiences will be different, and may vary over time.
However, research points towards a few suggestions that can help with developing a positive approach after brain injury...
Set realistic goals for yourself that are achievable - this may mean breaking larger goals into smaller tasks, asking for help, or trying something new to accommodate for your needs.
Visit our Your stories section to read personal stories from other brain injury survivors on living life after brain injury.
Explore your options of returning to work or consider volunteering opportunities.
Consider what your values are. Research indicates that a concept called values-based living is associated with PTG. It involves recognising what matters most to you in life and making commitments to focus on these.
Identify a new hobby or skill. Many people develop new interests after their brain injury and the possibilities are endless! There are plenty of ideas online and in books/ magazines of activities you could try, and many activities have been adapted for people with disabilities.
Get support from a relevant professional to cope with the emotional impact of brain injury, such as a clinical neuropsychologist or counsellor specialising in brain injury. Other professionals can help with coping with the effects of brain injury - for example, an occupational therapist can help you to identify suitable adaptive equipment or tools that might make your life easier and encourage feeling more positive about the future. Or a speech and language therapist can help with communication issues that may be affecting your relationships with others. Speak to your GP or neurologist in the first instance about getting support for the effects of brain injury.
Above all, try not to lose hope - there can be life after brain injury. For many, the first few months and years are the hardest to adjust to, but remember that support is available and time can be a healer. Identifying things that are important to you and that give your life meaning can help with feelings of positivity, even after trauma.
Values-based living
What are values?
Values are things that direct how we want to behave as human beings. They are the things that we personally hold most important to ourselves, and help us to decide how we treat ourselves, others and the world around us.
People’s values differ depending on what is most important to them in life. Being able to identify what your personal values are can help to recognise what gives your life meaning and importance. You can then identify ways to support your values to help you feel fulfilled - this is what we mean by values-based living.
The below activity helps you to identify what your values are and might help with the process of readjustment after brain injury and post-traumatic growth. You might find it helpful to go through this exercise with a professional such as a clinical neuropsychologist or clinical psychologist, or with someone you trust such as a family member or close friend. Remember though, your values are personal to you, and therefore you are the person best placed to complete this activity.
Steps for values-based living activity
Look through the list of values below
Identify three values that are the most important to you
For each value, think of one action you could take to support this value
For example...
A value that is important to me is… Assertiveness
To support this value I can… Talk to my manager about flexible working hours to help with managing my fatigue after brain injury… apply for welfare benefits that I am entitled to … and ask to be seated at a quiet table in a cafe to avoid becoming overstimulated from noise, so that I can socialise with my friends over coffee.
The following information has been reproduced with kind permission from Dr Monica Baseotto, Clinical Psychologist, and adapted from material by Dr Russ Harris, 2010.
Values
There are hundreds of different values. Here is a list of some common ones. Some of these might be easier to practice than others, depending on the nature of your brain injury. Keep in mind there are no such things as ‘right values’ or ‘wrong values’, and your values might change over time.
Acceptance: to be open to and accepting of myself, others, life etc
Assertiveness: to respectfully stand up for my rights and request what I want
Authenticity: to be authentic, genuine, real; to be true to myself
Beauty: to appreciate, create, or cultivate beauty in myself, others, the environment etc
Caring: to be caring towards myself, others, the environment etc
Challenge: to keep challenging myself to grow, learn, improve
Contribution: to contribute, help, assist, or make a positive difference to myself or others
Courage: to be courageous or brave; to persist in the face of fear, threat, or difficulty
Creativity: to be creative or innovative
Friendliness: to be friendly, companionable, or agreeable towards others
Forgiveness: to be forgiving towards myself or others
Humour: to see and appreciate the humorous side of life
Intimacy: to open up, reveal, and share myself - emotionally or physically – in my close personal relationships
Kindness: to be kind, compassionate, considerate, nurturing or caring towards myself or others
Love: to act lovingly or affectionately towards myself or others
Mindfulness: to be conscious of, open to, and curious about my here-and-now experience
Open-mindedness: to think things through, see things from other’s points of view, and weigh evidence fairly
Patience: to wait calmly for what I want
Responsibility: to be responsible and accountable for my actions
Self-awareness: to be aware of my own thoughts, feelings and actions
Self-care: to look after my health and wellbeing, and get my needs met
Self-development: to keep growing, advancing or improving in knowledge, skills, character, or life experience
Sensuality: to create, explore and enjoy experiences that stimulate the five senses
Spirituality: to connect with things bigger than myself
Skilfulness: to continually practice and improve my skills, and apply myself fully when using them
Trust: to be trustworthy; to be loyal, faithful, sincere, and reliable
The information on this page was produced with expert support from Dr Trevor Powell, Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist and Dr Monica Baseotto, Clinical Psychologist. Special thanks to Dr Baseotto for permitting us to reproduce her values-based living activity, adapted from material by Dr Russ Harris, 2010.
This information was last reviewed in 2019.
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