Does the COVID Pandemic Have a Silver Lining

Does the COVID Pandemic Have a Silver Lining? Now that we are entering the end of the Pandemic it may be time to think about the experience and the marks that it has left on all of us. There is no doubt that these last months have been a collective traumatic event and as such we can expect that there has been an impact on everyone. These impacts run the gamut from mild annoyance for some to bare survival from infection for others and for all the survivors it maybe accompanied by the loss of friends and loved ones. Not only are the impacts individually different the responses are also individually different; some will show symptoms associated with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety or phobias and require long term help in coping; others that are more resilient will simply need some time and bounce back on their own with little or no assistance. In some cases, primarily in the group that were severely affected there is the eventual possibility of Post Traumatic Growth (PTG), this could show up in 30-60% of the ones that suffered trauma. Little is known about why some people that suffer deep trauma move on to develop Post Traumatic Growth. However, there is some evidence from work done with veterans that suffered from PTSD that it is how the recovery process is managed that allows PTG to develop.


Post-traumatic growth (PTG) is a theory that explains a positive kind of transformation following trauma. It was developed by psychologists Richard Tedeschi, PhD, and Lawrence Calhoun, PhD, in the mid-1990s, and holds that people who endure psychological struggle following adversity can often see positive growth afterward.


Psychologists look for positive responses in five key areas:

·Appreciation of life.

·Relationships with others.

·New possibilities in life.

·Personal strength.

·Spiritual change.


"People develop new understandings of themselves, the world they live in, how to relate to other people, the kind of future they might have and a better understanding of how to live life," says Tedeschi.

From the trauma recovery website developed by the Manitoba Trauma Information and Education Centre (MTIEC) with funding and support from the Province of Manitoba, Department of Healthy Living, and the Winnipeg Foundation.


“What is essential to keep in mind is that post traumatic growth is not a direct result of trauma but rather related to how the individual struggles because of the trauma (Tedeschi and Calhoun, 2004). There are several things that people who have experienced trauma and subsequent growth identify that was significant to their struggle. These include having relationships where they felt “nurtured, liberated or validated” in addition to experiencing “genuine acceptance from others” (Woodward and Joseph, 2003).

The ability to connect with people who are able to provide this level of assistance and support through active, attentive, and compassionate listening can lead to not only to recovery but can foster post traumatic growth. This may include a therapist, close friend, family member, spiritual leader and/or mentor.


It is important not to minimize the impact of the trauma to promote post traumatic growth. This is not always the outcome for individuals who have experienced trauma, and it is important not to imply any failure or minimize the impact of the trauma. It is also important to be aware that even in the presence and development of post traumatic growth it does not mean that there is an absence of distress. Both can occur simultaneously. Post traumatic growth can be considered an outcome as well as a process. It is about maintaining a sense of hope that not only can a person who has experienced trauma survive but they can also experience positive life changes as a result. Keeping in mind it is not the event that defines post traumatic growth but what is able to develop from within the person and service providers can play a significant role in this process.”

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