Connect with people who understand what you are going through, seek advice and surround yourself with support. We're free, anonymous, and professionally moderated 24/7.
NikNikSenior Contributor
Join @Former-Member from 7pm AEDT discussing and exploring Post Traumatic Growth, a theory 'that people who endure psychological struggle following adversity can often see positive growth afterward.' - Richard Tedeschi, PhD, and Lawrence Calhoun, PhD, Journal of Traumatic Stress, 1996
To receive an email reminder on the night, hit the 'Like' button below.
In response to: Topic Tuesday // PTSD & Post Traumatic Growth // Tues 20 Feb, 7pm AEDT
Unknown userMember
Exactly @Phoenix_Rising 
In response to: Topic Tuesday // PTSD & Post Traumatic Growth // Tues 20 Feb, 7pm AEDT
TeejSenior Contributor
Oops @Former-Member above post by me :face_with_rolling_eyes:. Forgot to tag.
In response to: Topic Tuesday // PTSD & Post Traumatic Growth // Tues 20 Feb, 7pm AEDT
Phoenix_RisingSenior Contributor
@Mazarita your comment about having experienced childhood trauma despite this not being part of your diagnosis reminded me why I don't subscribe to the medical model of mental illness. The vast majority (not all, but the vast majority) of people with a diagnosed mental health condition have a history of trauma. I so badly wish the medical world would wake up to this fact! 
In response to: Topic Tuesday // PTSD & Post Traumatic Growth // Tues 20 Feb, 7pm AEDT
Unknown userMember
@Former-Member Thank you so much for responding to that bit!
short version.
To stop the abuse from happening, I chose (had )to remove myself from all those who could pass on information about me to those who were doing the abuse. (can't properly describe it here)
thus I have withdrawn from all family (origin and children and extended), I do not socialise. In other words I am a hermit and it works for me most of the time. I could not even consider the trust issues of reconnecting with any family even though all psych info says I should.
In response to: Topic Tuesday // PTSD & Post Traumatic Growth // Tues 20 Feb, 7pm AEDT
CheerBearSenior Contributor
In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // PTSD & Post Traumatic Growth // Tues 20 Feb, 7pm AEDT
Phoenix_RisingSenior Contributor
@Former-Member I walked away from my only surviving family of origin (two siblings) thirteen years ago. Best thing I ever did!
In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // PTSD & Post Traumatic Growth // Tues 20 Feb, 7pm AEDT
Unknown userMember
In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // PTSD & Post Traumatic Growth // Tues 20 Feb, 7pm AEDT
Unknown userMember
@Teej I thnk you have it. To me the growth can be anything from the tiniest seeming 'well, I put that together without having to resort to tears', to something that can be huge like going to the supermarket.
Me, I went further to save myself. I cut off from the outside world almost entirely. That's frowned upon by pretty much everyone. But it is how I saved myself, and how I continue to save myself.
Just being here, typing these q's and a's is suuuuchhhh a stressful and tearful and heartbreaking experience for me.
This is growth, I'm reaching out trying to find answers to unanswerable questions.
In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // PTSD & Post Traumatic Growth // Tues 20 Feb, 7pm AEDT
Unknown userMember
Thank you so much everyone who joined us tonight. I think it was a really interesting discussion and could only be that way with all of your input.
We'll keep it open tonight for anyone to add further thoughts and experiences.
Also, we've had a couple of members share their distress tonight, so please make sure you take care of yourself if this has been an upsetting discussion. Reach out to a loved one or a helpline if you need help settling.
Lifeline 13 11 14. The Help Centre is open until 10pm also. 1800 18 7263 or web chat.
Thanks again everyone. So much food for thought.
In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // PTSD & Post Traumatic Growth // Tues 20 Feb, 7pm AEDT
Phoenix_RisingSenior Contributor
@CheerBearwrote:
It also reminds me of the potential difference in experience between trauma that can occur by accident or as a natural event vs that which can happen in relationships, especially with people in positions of authority or trust @Mazarita. Tricky stuff!
@CheerBear That is a really good point and comes back to the difference between PTSD and C-PTSD. It is well established in the literature that trauma due to accidents/natural events tends to have a less lasting impact than interpersonal trauma. Definitely tricky stuff!
Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.
Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.
You’ll soon be able to use one secure login to access all SANE services.
For added security, members are now required to log in with their email address and password - member names are no longer supported for logging in.
If you had a Forums account before 19 May 2026 and haven’t set up your new login yet, you'll be prompted to set up your new secure login when you sign-in.
Fields marked * are required
