Are You a Survivor?
When people are confronted by extreme trauma, they can respond in a number of ways. Some individuals are broken by their experience. Others limp their way through. But a small minority actually emerge in a stronger and better state. These “triumphant survivors” have been able to overcome disastrous childhoods or major setbacks in their lives.
Researchers such as psychologist Al Siebert (author of The Survivor Personality) have found that such people are endowed with certain attitudes or emotional resources—such as a sense of humor, flexibility, the ability to be empathetic, the ability to pick the most positive and useful interpretation for any situation, and—perhaps most importantly—the ability to reach out for help. Surgeon Bernie Siegel worked with people suffering from cancer who exhibited these attributes and called them “exceptional patients.”
When questioned about their recovery, triumphant survivors state, “The critical issue for me was not what has happened, but What am I going to do about it?” After their ordeal has passed, survivors are often inspired to share their story with others. Part of their message is this: “Out of misfortune, some good can emerge.”
Many of the qualities of the survivor personality can be applied by people who are suffering from depression.