The dangerous myth of permanent trauma | George Bonanno: Full Interview
The Dangerous Myth of Permanent Trauma | George Bonanno: Full Interview
In a thought-provoking interview, psychologist George Bonanno challenges the pervasive myths surrounding trauma and PTSD. He emphasizes that most events labeled as traumatic are “potentially traumatic,” underscoring the distinction between genuinely traumatic experiences and life’s inevitable hardships. Research shows a surprising truth: the majority of people demonstrate resilience in the face of distressing events, and our biological makeup is more robust than commonly believed.
Bonanno dismantles three widespread myths: that any difficult experience leads to trauma, that trauma results in lasting emotional damage, and the notion of “hidden traumas” lingering in our psyche. Instead, he introduces the “flexibility mindset,” urging individuals to adopt adaptive strategies when coping with adversity.
He reveals four potential pathways following traumatic experiences, highlighting that while some may struggle, others can recover swiftly or show resilience. Through his insights, Bonanno advocates for a proactive approach to healing, challenging the narrative of fragility that dominates current discourse.
With a rich history of research and clinical expertise, Bonanno posits that by recognizing our innate capacity for resilience, individuals can navigate difficult experiences more effectively, redefining our understanding of trauma and recovery.
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Author Video Description
“There are at least three very much interrelated misconceptions about trauma right now.”
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We may think that trauma leaves irreversible scars, reshaping our brain and emotional regulation permanently. The science, however, shows the opposite, says psychologist George Bonanno. Our biology is much more resilient than we give it credit for.
Bonanno dismantles common myths surrounding trauma and PTSD, and shares a practical mindset shift to navigate difficult experiences.
0:00 Rethinking trauma
01:07 The human capacity for resilience
04:33 Potentially traumatic vs. just really hard
09:28 Four pathways after adversity
15:45 How our brains encode trauma and shape our memories
26:20 The resilience paradox
31:27 The flexibility sequence
37:00 Why flexibility matters for healing
50:41 The history of PTSD
1:00:54 The psychology of grief
1:03:31 How the brain processes loss
Read the video transcript ► https://bigthink.com/series/full-interview/myths-of-trauma/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=youtube_description
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About George Bonanno
Dr. George Bonanno is a professor of psychology, chair of the department of counseling in clinical psychology, and director of the Loss, Trauma, and Emotion Lab at Teachers College Columbia University. He’s the author of The Other Side of Sadness and The End of Trauma.
About Big Think
Big Think is the leading source of expert-driven, actionable, educational content — with thousands of videos, featuring experts ranging from Bill Clinton to Bill Nye, we help you get smarter, faster. Get actionable lessons from the world’s greatest thinkers & doers. Our experts are either disrupting or leading their respective fields.
Video “The dangerous myth of permanent trauma | George Bonanno: Full Interview” was uploaded on 11/14/2025 to Youtube Channel Big Think