What happens when we're confronted with the worst? Conventional wisdom holds that trauma scars us for life, wreaking psychological havoc that affects everything from our sleep cycles to our relationships to our very will to live. But our popular conception of trauma ignores a startling fact: many people emerge from traumatic experiences stronger, wiser and more fulfilled, despite having endured great emotional pain. For the past twenty years, Joseph has worked with survivors of trauma and sufferers of posttraumatic stress. In this groundbreaking new book, he boldly challenges current notions about trauma and its aftermath. His studies have shown that a wide range of traumatic events ? from illness, divorce, separation, assault and bereavement to accidents, natural disasters and terrorism ? can act as catalysts for positive change strengthening relationships, changing one's perspective and revealing inner strengths. What Doesn't Kill Us reveals how all of us can navigate change and adversity ? traumatic or otherwise ? to find new meaning, purpose, and direction in life.