Damar Hamlin, Cardiac Arrest, and Post-Traumatic Growth: When Trauma Leads to Triumph
When Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field during a game last season, it was a shocking and terrifying moment for all who witnessed it. I was up half the night watching the news hoping for an update, and I’m not even a fan of either team! Thankfully, quick thinking and action by the Bills' medical staff prevented a tragedy, and Hamlin made a full recovery.
But let's be real, it was a close call, and it could have gone the other way. That experience was undoubtedly traumatic for Hamlin and his teammates, who were forced to confront the fragility and unpredictability of life. Which begs us to consider how various athletes are responding to that scene specifically and how we all might respond to trauma more generally.
While some may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), others may experience post-traumatic growth (PTG). PTG is the phenomenon in which individuals who have been through traumatic experiences report positive psychological changes, such as increased self-esteem, improved relationships, and a greater sense of personal strength. PTSD is an incredibly serious issue, and a tough one to tackle. At the same time, the research shows that most individuals who experience trauma actually experience PTG over the long haul.
So what sets those who experience PTG apart from those who develop PTSD? Studies suggest that individuals who experience PTG tend to have a more positive outlook, a sense of personal control, and a strong support system. Consider these elements in your own life or the lives of your athletes.
Do you or your athletes have the ability to benefit find and see silver linings in otherwise tragic situations and circumstances? Do you have a mindset that allows you to persevere and move through difficult situations despite the intense, awful feelings they conjure?
Do you have what psychologists call an internal locus of control, meaning to do you believe or hope that you navigate the tragedy and, in time, feel good again? Perhaps even come back with new perspective and strength through the actions you take day in and day out?
Do you have people around you who support you, act with compassion when you’re down but also help you to find those silver linings and to see the good, in addition to the bad?
Take Hamlin, for example. In an interview following his cardiac arrest, he said, "I'm just blessed to be alive and be able to play the game I love." Instead of dwelling on the trauma of the incident, he chose to focus on the positive outcome and his ability to return to the game he loves. That might be easier said than done, but it is possible and with possibility comes potential.
Similarly, his teammates who witnessed the incident have also chosen to focus on the positive outcome, and have reported feeling a greater sense of camaraderie and appreciation for life as a result of the incident.
It's important to note that PTG is not a guarantee and is not always immediate. It's a process and it's different for everyone. But, if you're going through a tough time, remember that with the right mindset and support system, you too can turn trauma into triumph.
Here’s to your journey to antifragility,
Nick & Adam
Image Credit: Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Kaufman, S. B. (2021). Transcend: The new science of self-actualization. Penguin.
