Does Arya demonstrate PTSD or PTG (Post Traumatic Growth)?

In her recent PsychCentral article, Shahida Arabi, therapist and best-selling author of a number of psychology books, including Becoming the Narcissist’s Nightmare: How to Devalue and Discard the Narcissist While Supplying Yourself, discusses Arya’s journey; specifically, the trauma she experiences and the resilience she gains.

Does building resilience require trauma? How do we tell if something is “hard” vs. “traumatic”? Shahida expertly discusses one of our favorite characters, the savior of Winterfell (catchy? cliche? we’ll work on it..), and we want your opinion. Comment below for an interactive discussion!

Excerpt: “Arya is every little girl who grew up in terror and trauma. Who survives impossible situations through her resilience, grit, talent, and determination. Whose identity is previously in fragments, only to become whole as she comes into the woman she was always meant to be. And yes, she is truly ruthless when it comes to her enemies. Yet it is perhaps her ability to own her demons which make her even more powerful when she’s avenging her loved ones, enacting some sweet justice and saving the world. We can all learn life lessons about trauma from this brilliant, multifaceted and truly one of a kind character. She is all of us who have survived – and thrived.”