Resilience and Positive Psychology: Unleashing Inner Strength
When meeting a new patient, I often ask a question that catches them off guard: “What’s your secret?” Specifically, I inquire about the strengths that have brought them this far despite the challenges they have faced. This approach shifts the focus from “What’s wrong with me?” to “What is strong in me?”
Moving away from the traditional disease model of psychiatry and psychology, I embrace resilience and positive psychology. Instead of solely focusing on symptoms and pathology, I emphasize the presence of strength, adaptability, and meaning in mental health. Drawing inspiration from psychologists like Martin Seligman and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, I believe that true well-being stems from nurturing our innate capacities to recover and grow from adversity.
By asking patients about their “secret,” I help them recognize their enduring qualities rather than viewing themselves as damaged. For example, a young woman going through a painful breakup may realize her strength in caring for her siblings, while a veteran dealing with flashbacks may acknowledge his years of sobriety. These moments of resilience serve as the foundation for therapy, focusing on building upon existing strengths.
The term “trauma” has been widely used and sometimes misused in recent years, encompassing everything from minor stressors to significant life events. Peter Levine’s definition of trauma as the energy that remains in the body after an event provides clarity on its true nature. While the DSM-5-TR has broadened the definition of trauma to include subjective experiences, it is essential to differentiate between stress, adversity, and true trauma to prevent pathologizing normal challenges.
Instead of labeling individuals as either “traumatized” or “non-traumatized,” it is more accurate to view experiences on a continuum ranging from stress to adversity to trauma. Therapy aims to expand the “window of tolerance,” allowing individuals to navigate challenges without becoming overwhelmed. Evidence-based approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), and somatic therapies focus on enhancing emotional regulation and resilience.
In today’s culture, there is a tendency to label everyday stressors as traumatizing, inadvertently fostering a sense of vulnerability. By avoiding discomfort, individuals may actually increase their anxiety and hinder their resilience. True strength comes from facing challenges head-on and developing emotional resilience rather than seeking constant protection from adversity.
When therapy begins with acknowledging a person’s inner strength and wisdom, it sets the stage for growth and transformation. The goal is not to erase past pain or eliminate stress but to integrate experiences into personal growth. Through this process, suffering can become a teacher, vulnerability can become a source of strength, and resilience can be cultivated through embracing challenges.
True resilience is not about avoiding suffering but about navigating it with wisdom and emerging stronger and wiser on the other side. By building emotional muscle and learning to face adversity with courage, individuals can truly thrive and grow from life’s challenges.