Elizabeth Smart: How Kidnapping Led to Post-traumatic Growth

For example, growing up in a home filled with stability, love, and connection, as Elizabeth did, enhances brain health. Her SPECT scans, which she sees for the first time on the Change Your Brain Every Day podcast, reveal the impacts of her experiences on her brain.

Dr. Amen suggests that having a healthier brain going into the trauma likely enabled her to cope better with the horrors of her captivity.

Compare her experience to a child who grew up in a chaotic environment with alcoholic, neglectful parents. The chronic stress of this type of upbringing harms the brain and drains resilience, which would have made it much harder for someone to withstand the additional trauma of a kidnapping.

When stresses and traumas are compounded, it increases the likelihood of lasting negative consequences, such as PTSD.

WHAT IS POST-TRAUMATIC GROWTH?

One fascinating area of trauma research focuses on posttraumatic growth (PTG), a concept introduced in the mid-1990s by psychologists Richard Tedeschi and Lawrence Calhoun from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. PTG refers to the positive transformation that can occur following adversity.

Their research shows that when groups of people endure trauma—whether from personal loss, natural disasters, major life transitions, or even kidnapping—they respond differently.

• About 10% may develop PTSD, experiencing symptoms like nightmares, flashbacks, or emotional numbness.
• About 80% will return to their baseline within a few months.
• About 10% will emerge stronger, experiencing personal growth beyond their pre-trauma state.

This growth is driven by five key factors, captured by the mnemonic SPARK:

• Spiritual life: Adversity often prompts people to find deeper meaning or purpose. For example, someone who loses a loved one may develop a stronger connection to their faith or discover a new calling, such as volunteering or mentoring others. This process of finding purpose can create a profound sense of spiritual fulfillment.
  

In Elizabeth’s case, she turned her pain into purpose by creating the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, which brings hope and empowerment to victims of sexual assault.

• Possibilities: Difficult circumstances often unveil new opportunities. For example, someone who loses a job might discover a passion for starting a small business, writing a book, or pursuing a long-neglected hobby. Trauma can be a catalyst for exploring paths that may not have been considered before.

  Following her kidnapping and captivity, Elizabeth returned to playing the harp and majored in music in college. Plus, she has written two books, My Story and Where There’s Hope.
  

• Appreciation for life: Facing challenges often highlights the value of everyday moments. For instance, someone recovering from a serious illness may develop a renewed sense of gratitude for time spent with loved ones or for the ability to simply enjoy nature. This newfound appreciation can transform how they approach daily life.
  
• Relationships: Traumatic events can deepen bonds with loved ones or encourage healthier relationships. For example, someone who has gone through a divorce may develop a stronger support network with friends or family, or they may learn to form more meaningful and authentic connections in future relationships.
  
• Kick-ass strength: Overcoming adversity builds resilience. Statements like “If I got through that, I can handle anything” reflect newfound mental toughness. For instance, someone who has endured a natural disaster may develop greater confidence in their ability to adapt and thrive under difficult circumstances.

  Practicing positive thinking and mental self-care can further enhance this inner strength. “If I can survive that, I can survive anything,” became Elizabeth’s mantra.

By nurturing these factors, individuals can plant the seeds for growth, turning challenges into opportunities for a stronger, more meaningful future. Whether facing personal, professional, or societal adversity, post-traumatic growth offers a powerful reminder that growth and transformation are possible even in the face of hardship.

HEALING THE BRAIN AFTER TRAUMA

In addition to these elements, it’s critical to rehabilitate the brain after experiencing trauma, whether it’s emotional trauma, sexual abuse, natural disaster, or some other life-changing event.

This is especially important if a person has been self-medicating with substances like alcohol or marijuana.

According to the experts at Amen Clinics, healing the brain post trauma may involve avoiding harmful substances, taking nutritional supplements, consuming brain healthy foods, exercising regularly, engaging in helpful forms of psychotherapy, and in some cases, taking medication.