This month I am featuring a book called Upside: The New Science of Post-Traumatic Growth, by Jim Rendon. This is not a self-help book, but rather a mass-market psychology book which covers the latest research on post-traumatic growth. I first read this book right after the Parkland shooting when I was looking for resources to help myself, my friends, and potential future clients deal effectively with the trauma we had all experienced.
You’ve probably heard of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but may not have heard of post-traumatic growth (PTG). They are not mutually exclusive, meaning that you can experience PTSD and also eventually experience growth from the hard thing that happened. Growth is actually a very common eventual outcome after trauma, which is good news.
Many people find that one of life’s most difficult questions to answer is, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” There are no easy answers to this question in the book, but the content does help one begin to think about positive possibilities after the bad thing has already happened. Despite the hardships that inevitably arise with trauma, we also hear strong cultural messages about growth through difficulty— from songs like Kelly Clarkson’s “What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger”, to quotes about finding light in the darkness or appreciating good juxtaposed against evil variously attributed to Harry Potter characters, scriptural heroes, and other great thinkers. In a way, we are all on our own hero’s journey to overcoming adversity and Rendon’s book helps the reader recognize the tools needed to move in a healthy and upward direction.
Upside is packed with interesting research that the author has done an excellent job curating. From research on Vietnam prisoners of war, to cancer survivors, accident victims, and more, the author cites both large studies and individuals’ experiences to explain how post-traumatic growth is not only possible, but accessible to almost anyone willing to do the work. Rendon cites six paths towards growth: telling a new story, relying on others, expressing yourself, looking for the positive, finding meaning in faith, and new experiences.
The most important thing I learned from the book is how essential it is to eventually be able to make meaning from the bad things that happen to you. Those who are able to do so and develop a narrative of transformation and growth have better mental health outcomes. This is a book that I read with a pen and underlined a lot of great content that I like to revisit periodically. Try this one soon—I think you’ll like it!
