5.2 Resilience

A Family Guide to Concurrent Disorders - Part II: The impact on families

Outline - Chapter 5: Self-care

"The strongest oak of the forest is not the one that is protected from the storm and hidden from the sun. It is the one that stands in the open, where it is compelled to struggle for its existence against the winds and rains and the scorching sun."

—Napoleon Hill (1883–1970)

What is resilience?

Resilience is frequently described as the capacity to thrive and fulfill one’s potential despite (or perhaps because of) stressful circumstances. All of us are resilient in one way or another, but some people seem to be more so. They are inclined to see challenges as learning opportunities that can lead to healthy emotional growth and development.

Factors that are characteristic of resilient people include:

a sense of closeness and connectedness to others
strong, dependable support from at least one significant other in their lives
attention to their own personal health and well-being
high self-esteem
a strong sense of personal identity

A sense of humor can help you overlook the unattractive, tolerate the unpleasant, cope with the unexpected and smile through the unbearable.

—Moshe Waldoks

a realistic and balanced awareness of their strengths and limitations
the ability to be assertive and emotionally tough when necessary, but also sensitive and compassionate
a playful, lighthearted approach to life
a sense of direction and purpose in life
the ability to turn difficult experiences into valuable learning opportunities
the capacity to pick themselves up, shake themselves off and keep moving forward after traumatic and upsetting situations
the ability to adapt to and live comfortably with uncertainty and unpredictability
the ability to laugh at themselves. Resilient people do not “sweat the small stuff.”

Developing resilience

Ask yourself: