It is no secret that in recent years, people all over the internet have opened conversations on personal trauma. Social media has seen it all. From showing vulnerability online to empathize and capture bigger audiences to sickness as a beauty trend, trauma takes shape in many forms, contexts, and meanings that perhaps exacerbates what is already a fundamentally disturbing concept.

If we can only flash a hundred trigger warning signs for all the times trauma isn’t addressed properly, we’d be bombarded with all the reasons not to speak up about it. But knowing your trauma triggers should be addressed in order to eventually heal from them, because triggers can cause numerous effects including intense emotional and physical reactions like anxiety, panic attacks, and flashbacks that interfere with your daily life.

So what’s trauma explained and how can we identify our trauma triggers as a step towards healing?

Trauma isn’t a trend

Trauma is an intense, often bad experience that causes triggers. These triggers can be anything that reminds a person of the traumatic event, such as sounds, smells, sights, or even specific words or phrases.

Perhaps the most disturbing trend in the online space is creating trauma-core, an aesthetic of its own that places trauma as the focal point of an individual’s sense of style and personality. In many instances, we consume media filled with sad stories and other content centered around mental health issues.

Trauma as an aesthetic-core and trend has become increasingly popular in media and popular culture, particularly on social media platforms. While this trend may seem harmless or even empowering to some, it can be extremely detrimental to individuals who have actually experienced trauma or have mental health conditions such as PTSD.

It's important to recognize that trauma is a serious and often debilitating experience. It can have lasting effects on an individual's mental and physical health, as well as their relationships and overall quality of life. For individuals who have experienced trauma, seeing it being trivialized or romanticized can be extremely triggering and can exacerbate their symptoms. This is particularly true for individuals with PTSD, who may experience flashbacks, nightmares, and other symptoms in response to trauma-related triggers.

Trauma as an aesthetic-core and trend can also have a negative impact on the youth. Young people who have not yet experienced trauma may romanticize or glorify the idea of being "broken" or "damaged," without fully understanding the gravity of such experiences. This trend can also lead to an unhealthy normalization of trauma and mental illness, leading young people to believe that it is a normal or even desirable part of the human experience.

The trauma trend can also perpetuate harmful stereotypes about individuals with mental health conditions, portraying them as dramatic or attention-seeking. This can further stigmatize mental illness and discourage individuals from seeking help or treatment.

Destigmatizing trauma-core and advocating for healing

Trauma as an aesthetic-core and trend can be damaging to individuals who have actually experienced trauma or have mental health conditions. It trivializes and romanticizes a serious experience and can be triggering for those who are struggling with trauma-related symptoms. It can also lead to unhealthy normalization of trauma and perpetuate harmful stereotypes about individuals with mental illness.

As a society, we must work to destigmatize mental illness and portray it in a more accurate and respectful manner, particularly when it comes to identifying trauma and its triggers.

When someone is triggered, they may feel overwhelmed and unable to cope, and this can prevent them from fully engaging in the healing process. Knowing your triggers allows you to recognize when you’re being triggered and take steps to manage the emotional and physical responses that come with it. This can help you feel more in control and make it easier to focus on your healing journey.

Identifying your triggers can help you avoid or minimize exposure to situations that may trigger a traumatic response. This can be an important part of self-care and can help you feel more secure and safe, while also developing coping strategies to manage triggers when they do arise.

We’re still a long way to go towards unlocking the problematic trend on trauma but acknowledging its detrimental effects on people is the first step towards overcoming such a challenge and learning to heal for a better journey and outlook on life.

SPARK

Unpacking the problematic trend on trauma

by

Gresson Peiffer

Unpacking the problematic trend on trauma

A Publication of