2. Dedication:
To those who found the
trauma opportunities here in
New Orleans
May 7, 20132Salon Luncheon
3. Purpose:
Share a perspective about trauma and trauma
resilience that
may be useful in overcoming the trauma
paradox and
transforming the stumbling block of
Adversity into OPPORTUNITIES into
stepping stones of inspiration,
innovation, growth and wisdom.
May 7, 20133Salon Luncheon
4. Trauma Opportunities
Adversity
or
trauma
leads
to
traumatic
stress
reactions
that
affect
mental
health.
Trauma
also
leads
to
learning,
innovation,
problem
solving,
thriving,
and
other
reactions
that
affect
wisdom.
What
does
it
mean
to
survive
a
trauma?
Answer:
Respond
to
trauma
opportunities
and
manage
the
trauma
paradox.
May 7, 20134Salon Luncheon
5. Trauma paradox
Those
suffering
from
trauma
(e.g.,
PTSD)
paradoxically
are
“prisoners”
of
their
own
traumatic
memories.
What
will
set
them
“free”
is
mastering
their
of
the
traumatic
memory-‐fears
The
paradox
of
fearing
fearing
the
information
that
will
set
them
free.
May 7, 20135Salon Luncheon
6. The Road to Wisdom that
Starts with a Trauma
Trauma à
Disorganization à
Resilience & Resourcesà
Adaptation to Opportunities à
Growth à
Wisdom
May 7, 20136Salon Luncheon
7. Trauma à
Trauma happens despite planning and
preparation
Trauma initially leads to temporary
disorganization
May 7, 20137Salon Luncheon
8. à Disorganization
— Disorganization – cognitively,
socially, spiritually, and emotionally
— Caused by unexpected shattered
assumptions and expectations about
trauma invulnerability
— Trauma Reactions – fear, confusion,
impaired decision-making
May 7, 20138Salon Luncheon
9. à Disorganization
— Confused about the answers to the
five fundamental crisis questions:
1. What happened;
2. Why did it happen;
3. Why did I react as I did;
4. Why have I reacted as I have;
5. What if it happens again?
May 7, 20139Salon Luncheon
10. à Disorganization
— Helping through re-establishment of
routine, sense of safety/reassurance
— Consultation vital for determining
ways of managing the
disorganization through
— sound planning and standards of
practice
May 7, 201310Salon Luncheon
11. à Trauma Resilience &
Resources
— Bouncing back from all adversities by
finding a way to overcome, cope, and
adapt to the trauma;
— Drawing on social, emotional, and
spiritual resources toward post-
traumatic rehabilitation, growth, and
thriving.
May 7, 201311Salon Luncheon
12. à Trauma Adaptation to
Opportunities à
— Adjusting to the new normal
— Managing the stress and disruptions of
change
— Addressing the Trauma Paradox
— Revising plans in light of new
knowledge gained from the trauma.
May 7, 201312Salon Luncheon
13. à Trauma Adaptation to
Opportunities à
Applying post-traumatic wisdom in the
shadows of trauma means…
1. Creating new and better ways or things
inspired by the trauma
2. Establishing strong post-trauma relationships
with fellow survivors and supporters
3. Memorializing lessons learned that lead
logically to better planning and toward thriving
May 7, 201313Salon Luncheon
14. à Growth à
— The experience of positive change as a
result of trauma that leads to
— insight into self and
— a life that is purposeful and hopeful
— Growth often leads to lasting wisdom
inspired by the trauma
May 7, 201314Salon Luncheon
15. à Trauma Wisdom
Positive adaptation to trauma is the
wisdom from the struggle to overcome
adversity
Wisdom as both process and outcome of
trauma adaptation includes
1. recognition and management of uncertainty;
2. the integration of thoughts and feelings; and
3. wisdom and courage to change
May 7, 201315Salon Luncheon
16. Conclusions
— It is not so much the trauma as it is the trauma
memory which causes difficulty.
— Thus it is “trauma memory management” that is
the solution.
— The road to wisdom often starts with adversity
but can end with wisdom
— Trauma adversity initially leads to
Disorganization but effective resilience can lead
to effective post-traumatic Adaptation and,
Growth, Wisdom
May 7, 201316Salon Luncheon
17. Conclusions
— Thus, the answer to the question:
“What does it mean to survive a
trauma?” is simple:
— It means that one taken
opportunity to grow, and life is
richer as a result.
May 7, 201317Salon Luncheon
18. Contact me about our
graduate programs
— PhD Program in City, Culture, and Community
— MS Program in Disaster Resilience Leader
— Master Social Work
— FIGLEY@TULANE.EDU
— CHARLESFIGLEY.COM
— 504-862-3473
May 7, 2013Salon Luncheon 18
