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Resilience, Trauma, and Stress
Building resilience to overcome adversity
Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) is a condition that causes life-altering problems for those who experience it. The symptoms of CPTSD occur due to complex trauma, and building resilience is vital.
In this article, we shall explore how to build resilience despite trauma and stress.
What is Resilience?
The American Psychological Association (APA) gives the following definition of resilience:
“Resilience is the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands.”
They explain numerous factors contribute to a person’s ability to adapt in the face of adversity. The APA lists three:
· How a person views and engages with their world
· Forming specific coping strategies
· The quality and availability of social contacts
Resiliency means being capable of bouncing back when something challenging happens in life. Being resilient also means picking oneself up and continuing even after being struck down.
