Is Trauma Dumping Debilitating?

A trend I’ve noticed a lot on social media is people posting about their trauma and what they’ve been through. Although I find it extremely brave for people to candidly share their hardships and darkest days, I often ask myself if it's unhealthy to constantly see and view these stories on social media. Most people will issue a TW (trigger warning) but this doesn’t stop most people including myself from curiously reading these stories. I found the more I saw and read these type of posts, my mental health would decline. It’s such a tough topic because so many people probably read the trauma of others and find the strength to finally speak up, but for some whether they've experienced trauma or not it could do the opposite and possibly even be debilitating. Do I think people will stop posting their trauma? No. If this is something that is unsettling to you I encourage you to create a timeline that feeds your soul, it isn’t dismissive it’s doing what’s best for your mental health. Unfollow, mute or block accounts that often post traumatic experiences or topics. A lot of people will trauma bond, but won’t help each other to grow from a traumatic experience. Make sure you have a tribe and community that make you feel seen and allow you to express yourself, while also being a space you're encouraged in and encouraging others to adapt a positive mindset and be in a better place mentally. When people trauma dump they'll more than often not even know if the person they're venting to can mentally handle or process the information at the time. Your trauma doesn’t define you and you're allowed to acknowledge it without staying in that tumultuous place indefinitely. I myself took a break from the Tiktok app because I was seeing so many heartbreaking trauma filled stories that were affecting me emotionally. Know when to log out, social media can be crippling if we’re constantly viewing content and information that weighs on us heavily. Always put your mental health first and be mindful of what you consume. If you've developed a habit of sharing bad news or constantly dwelling on the negative aspects of your life, challenge yourself to add uplifting conversation and good energy into your circle of friends and community.

All ways always with love,

Shakihya Monique