“Ever since my truck was hit with that IED, I’m getting along better with people and my views about things have changed. I actually seem happier. I thought things like this were supposed to mess you up. Am I crazy?”Those words came from a service member with whom I worked during my first tour in Iraq. My response to him: “No, you are not crazy.”Being exposed to traumatic experiences can alter how a person views the world — sometimes for the better. Post-traumatic growth is receiving much attention in the military mental health community. PTG is a scientific and philosophical approach to understanding the positive changes that can occur in individuals after a traumatic experience.In the past, trauma has been viewed as a cause of psychological dysfunction. However, research shows that not all people develop sustained psychological problems after trauma. Some actually become emotionally and socially healthier after trauma exposure.Why does this happen? Just as a building’s foundation can shift from an earthquake, how a person views and interprets the world can be shaken from a traumatic or series of traumatic events.For example, after narrowly escaping serious injury or death, a service member who hates his life may adopt the worldview that “life is precious and I should be thankful for each day I have on Earth.” A service member who loses a best friend to a Humvee rollover comes to believe that “loved ones can leave this world at any moment, so it’s important to spend as much time with them as you can.”It’s important to realize that our thoughts and how we perceive events have a significant effect on how we feel and behave. To quote the ancient Greek philosopher Epictetus, “It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.”Don’t get me wrong — overcoming trauma is not as simple as being positive or thinking good thoughts. Many more factors are involved, such as personality traits, level of support from family and friends, and previous psychological health.But if you experience a traumatic event, you are not destined to become “messed up” for the rest of your life. As a psychologist, I have seen people overcome incredible hardships and tragedies. And yes, in more than a few cases, I have seen men and women, like the service member above, develop a more rewarding and fulfilling life.Bret A. Moore is a board-certified clinical psychologist who served two tours in Iraq. E-mail kevlarforthemind@militarytimes.com. Names and identifying details will be kept confidential. This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to convey specific psychological or medical guidance. Readers should see a mental health professional or physician for mental health problems.

Source: Army Times