The dangers of oversharing your traumatic experiences on social media
Ever heard the term "trauma dumping"? It refers to when someone shares their traumatic experiences with another person in a way that feels toxic without warning the recipient. It is aimed at generating sympathy and attention from the recipient.
According to Psychology Today, emotional dumping on your friends, acquaintances, or strangers without warning or permission is abusive and manipulative - toxic oversharing.
Sadly, many of us have been a victim of this, especially on social media.
According to BusinessInsider, TikTok has over 20-million views on tags relating to "trauma dump" and "trauma dumping".
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The effects of trauma dumping
Experts believe that trauma dumping can have devastating effects on those who the news is dumped on.
It reportedly leads to secondary trauma.
Dr Happy Setsiba, a clinical psychologist, warns that sometimes people might go through trauma without even realising it.
“Just like physical trauma, you feel like you bleed inside because there has been some injury that has been inflicted on your psychological, mental, and emotional functioning.
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“You have what we call an emotional wound,” says the expert.
According to Psychology Today, secondary trauma also spreads negativity and drains away energy.
So, it is best avoided!
For those who have been victims of trauma, you can get help at the following organisations:
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