Epistemology of psychotrauma: Posttraumatic stress and/or posttraumatic success

Abstract

Results of several studies suggest that psychotrauma is not necessarily disabling. Most people are resis­tant and they can even develop as a person through trauma. Understanding and amplifying the sources of resilience and posttraumatic growth, as well as focusing on the hope and optimism, helps the professio­nals to awake those strengths in their patients. The intention of this article is to develop and to contribute to the sensitivity for the continuum which extends from the posttraumatic stress to the posttraumatic success - as well as to create a new language and a new understanding of trauma with which the survivors and the whole society can find new strength and more constructive patterns of support.