In addition to all the destructive consequences that may follow traumatic experience, some people say it also has power to encourage creative expression.
The photo is of the late actor Charles Durning (1923–2012) who reportedly appeared in over 200 movies, television shows and plays.
In World War II, he was severely wounded by shrapnel, and also engaged a very young German soldier in hand-to-hand combat.
After killing the boy, Durning said in an article, he “held him in his arms and wept. He said the memories never left him, even when performing, even when he became, however briefly, someone else.”
Can this kind of trauma, which often leads to PTSD, have any positive impact on creative imagination and expression?
In her provocatively titled post Does Trauma Increase Creativity?, Laura K Kerr reports on a study that, she notes, “suggests there may be a connection between creativity and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
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Thank you so much for your article and pictures.
I worked with Charles Durning on a couple of shows. He always struck me as ‘kindly’ and a ‘gentleman’ which seemed out of place or time in Hollywood. I wish I had gotten to know him better.
Socially traumatized people may be spending a lot of energy on being the person they think they’re expected to be, but can never quite become. Once they give up on that quest, I think they enjoy themselves a lot more, and creativity replaces striving.
Great contribution to Personality Growth work!
Every end is an opening to a new beginning – and a traumatic experience is no exception.
Thanks for your interesting article!
Dr. Joe