History is replete with the stories of individuals who overcame trauma to lead a happy and successful life. Child abuse, failed relationships, serious injuries and potentially fatal illnesses are among the more common conditions that are cited.
Eager to hear or read about these inspiring individuals, consumers are fed the basic timeline without too much detail. Indeed, in the interest of privacy, most of the story is never told and future complications are beyond the context of the report. In fact, recovery from major trauma and severe illness is rarely complete; in the course of that public miracle, private issues persist, often leading to substance abuse, depression and stress-related disorders. Individuals treated successfully for a major medical condition often deal with the side-effects of therapy, sometimes developing other illnesses that were spawned by the original treatment.
Surviving trauma or illness is an ongoing process, one that generally endures throughout the life of that individual. Efforts to simplify the story suggest otherwise and often fuel unrealistic expectations.
