The Problematic Narrative of Trauma on Social Media

There is no doubt that social media has greatly contributed to psycho-education and raising mental health awareness by informing the general public about disorders and sparking much-needed conversations. However, it seems to have done more harm than good by spreading cookie-cutter narratives to a diverse audience, going against the very spirit of psychology which lies in acknowledging individual differences. Let’s take a close look into the pitfalls of social media and their implications for conversations around mental health.

The Nature of Social Media

The problem with social media is in its nature. The content on these platforms is all about grabbing attention and not educating people. Such content thrives on sensationalism, often misconstruing information just to garner more likes and views. There is no room to dive into the nuances and the more complicated aspects of mental health in these quick, bite-sized videos rampant on TikTok and Instagram. On top of this, influencers and other “life coaches” also pose as mental health specialists in this process of spreading misinformation, which can be very destructive when something as sensitive as mental health is involved (Hemendinger, n.d.).

Take depression, for instance. Social media often tends to spread a one-size-fits-all narrative about it, where it actually is so complex and personal. People living with the condition may even feel alienated by that kind of oversimplified content: they may end up misunderstood or even stigmatised. And that’s not all. Echo chambers on these platforms can reinforce negative beliefs people hold about themselves, creating a toxic cycle of self-pity and misunderstanding that’s challenging to break out of (Sherman., 2021).

The Misconception of Trauma

Out of all the mental health topics discussed on social media, the narrative around trauma appears to be particularly concerning (O’Connor et al., 2024). Because a lot of what we know about trauma comes from what we consume online, our understanding of what it is and how it looks can easily get distorted.

The biggest issue with how trauma is talked about on social media is how oversimplified it is. Almost every problem in adult life, be it struggles at work or challenges in relationships, gets attributed to childhood trauma. While childhood trauma is very real and valid, reducing complex experiences to just that one factor is an overly simplistic approach. And when you’re constantly exposed to this idea, it’s easy to start over analysing your past, closely examining every childhood memory at a microscopic level to figure out what might’ve gone wrong.

This is not to say that reflecting on the past is bad, or that childhood trauma doesn’t significantly impact our lives, it does. But when we focus on everything that didn’t go right in our past, we tend to lose sight of something crucial: accountability. If we continue to stay fixated on what happened to us, we overlook our own agency and our ability to determine how we react to the throes of life. Constantly mulling over past hardships can make us feel helpless, damage our self-esteem, and leave us drowning in self-pity.

Sure, it might feel like we are becoming more self-aware, but more often than not, it’s plain self-intellectualisation that is devoid of self-compassion or acceptance necessary to move forward (Adrian whall, 2023). Another thing to keep in mind is how randomly the term “trauma” is thrown around these days. Social media tends to label even the smallest discomforts or setbacks as trauma. Of course, trauma is subjective and is shaped by the perception of events and not their magnitude. But we also need to ask ourselves: Are we really as powerless in the face of our struggles as we’re led to believe? Life throws curveballs at all of us, and though those moments can be challenging to navigate, even crippling at times, they don’t have to define us.

Moving Towards a New Perspective 

Much of this emphasis on childhood is a result of the psychodynamic view of trauma, which has its place but is limited in its understanding. Alternative approaches, such as cognitive-behavioral theories, shift the focus toward reframing beliefs and take an action-oriented approach, helping us feel more in control of our lives.

On a personal level, we can work on building a mindset of growth and resilience, recognising that life’s ups and downs are inevitable, doing away with the perfect, rosy picture of life that social media loves to sell us. By giving ourselves grace, we can break free from the cycle of shame that often makes us feel weak (Buczynski, 2022). It’s perfectly normal to grieve losses, no matter what form they take. While acceptance may be the final stage of grief, it’s also the first step in rebuilding our lives and moving forward. In the same vein, radical self-acceptance which is to embrace the good and the not-so-good parts of ourselves, is essential for real growth and improvement (Bell, 2024). When we accept who we are, it becomes easier to take steps toward becoming who we want to be.

Understanding our individual differences also helps protect us from falling into the trap of typical narratives that don’t reflect the full complexity of our lives. Take for example, perfectionism which might sometimes be a coping mechanism rooted in early life adversities, but other times, it’s nothing more than a personality trait. In such cases, trying to tie it to trauma can create imagined problems that aren’t actually there.

Read More: Perfectionism, Procrastination and Paralysis

Skepticism: A Necessary Skill

In this age of pervasive misinformation and disinformation, healthy skepticism is a non-negotiable skill to possess (Tomorrow Bio – Home, n.d.). The ability to question the information we are fed, rather than simply accepting it, will help us avoid internalising beliefs that skew our perception of ourselves and the world. Part of this questioning involves reflection on what aspects of human behavior are genuinely normal and what may be unnecessarily pathologized.

It’s also crucial to pay attention to who is sharing information and whether they have the qualifications or authority to speak on the topic. These days, anyone with a basic understanding, or even a misunderstanding of sensitive issues can give their two cents and present information as if it’s fact. This makes it even more important to do your own research, verify the credibility of sources, and take everything with a grain of salt.

The bottom line is that social media often oversimplifies or misrepresents complex issues, and this can mess with how we see ourselves and the world. But here’s the good news: by staying mindful and practicing healthy skepticism, we can filter out the noise and protect ourselves from much of the harm. Take the time to question what you’re consuming, verify its accuracy, and consider whether it actually applies to your life. Remember, you’re a unique individual with experiences and challenges that can’t always be captured by a singular narrative. By embracing this uniqueness, you can focus on finding the approaches that work best for you—whether that’s for healing, personal growth, or simply understanding yourself better.

FAQs

1. How does Social Media contribute to misunderstandings about trauma?

Social media often oversimplifies trauma, attributing diverse and complex adult struggles solely to childhood experiences. This can lead to distorted perceptions and overanalysis of past events.

2. Why is the term “trauma” overused on social media?

Platforms frequently label everyday discomforts as trauma, diluting its meaning and promoting the idea that individuals are powerless against their challenges.

3. What is the danger of oversimplified mental health narratives on social media?

Such narratives can alienate people, reinforce negative self-beliefs, and prevent individuals from taking accountability or embracing personal agency.

4. How can we combat misinformation about trauma on social media?

By practicing healthy skepticism, questioning the credibility of sources, and focusing on professional advice rather than influencer opinions.

5. What mindset can help in navigating life’s challenges beyond social media narratives?

Embracing resilience, radical self-acceptance, and an action-oriented perspective can empower individuals to overcome struggles and focus on personal growth.