There are some interesting premises here. I do wonder if they are using emotions and feelings interchangeably though.
6 Likes
They seem to be, and I was, too - good point. When I first read the headline it felt shocking and I had to read it through a few times. Iâm still curious about the ideas and it made me think. Which I always like! Sometimes the posts and memes I see or gravitate to start to fall into the platitudes region of messaging (which is helpful and uplifting, for sure) or reinforce my thoughts and feelings, are validating in some way. I liked having my thinking challenged. Iâm curious what folks think.
4 Likes
I definitely agree that horrible behavior is not always a trauma response, nor valid. And I wasnât aware that prevailing thought suggests it is? 
2 Likes
I think that there is a trend (maybe not newâŚ) where people throw around words/diagnoses like PTSD, OCD and trauma to describe themselves when in fact they do not have that experience. And it can be used to excuse damaging behavior. It is a pet peeve of mine when people say things like âI am feeling so OCD right now,â or âThat xyz gave me such PTSD,â when they are being hyperbolic. It feels demeaning of folks who struggle with these experiences in a real way. This might not be what this person is pointing to, but itâs what I was reminded of.
Trauma is a tricky one, because it is subjective and oneâs traumatic past is for them to define, no one else, but there are some parameters to help define what that looks like.
5 Likes
Ah, I see where you are going there. A much more nuanced interpretation of the statement. I do tend toward the simplistic. Thanks for fleshing it out.
I can see that in how some people talk about situations.
On the other hand, sometimes I feel like collectively we are all traumatised from the past couple of years. But certainly that doesnât excuse horrible behaviorâŚor what I would consider âhorrible behavior.â
I think a lot of my horrible behavior over the years was because I was thoughtless, unaware, immature or just being an aggressive asshole. Leaning heavily on immature as the overarching reasonâŚagain, simplistic.
4 Likes
I often hear people jokingly say âhaha (insert person) has multiple personalities, they are being so nice to (insert person) but they really hate them and canât wait for them to go awayâ 
that isnât what the disorder is. And it hurts me.
For example a person at my job jokingly told me the person taking orders has multiple personalities because they had good customer service, but is really an ass⌠Their phrasing.
Edit to add: it hasnât been called multiple personality disorder for something like 20 yearsâŚitâs called Dissociative Identity Disorder. And people still throw around the old name because they donât actually know anything about it, and what it entails. Or the fact that it is caused by extreme trauma in early life. They think itâs just a funny phrase
Second edit:
1 Like
Iâm sorry that happened to you/around you. Every time I hear someone say, âIâm soooooo depressed,â when thatâs not what theyâre describing (my interpretation, of course) it feels like a jab. Lots of times itâs on a tv show/movie, itâs become part of our vernacular like a lot of other words or ways of talking about mental health conditions. I try to educate whenever I can, even with strangers if it feels like good time/space to do so.
@SassyRocks I have to agree - we have some serious collective trauma happening in the zeitgeist for lots of reasons. Locally, nationally and globally. Itâs heavy.
My brain is mushy, time for bed, but Iâll sleep on this and think some more tomorrow. Thanks for the responses!
2 Likes
Sweet dreams 
2 Likes
This all makes me want to get back to watching the Brene Brown HBOmax doc. I have only watched the first episode so far.
Hope you had a good rest!
3 Likes
So I saw a post that further clarifies the âfeelings arenât validâ concept and itâs much clearer to me. I can dig it. This is why oversimplified bullet points arenât always a great way to get a message across 
Iâll include the IG link if anyone is interested but here are the screen shots. I appreciate that this individual generally is cautioning folks from relying too much on catchphrases and buzzwords, and I agree that sometimes words feel empty when theyâre overused and donât have a lot of depth, or have anything specific to a person to really indicate theyâre being heard and empathized with. I think thatâs the main message here.
8 Likes
That⌠is beautiful. Not gonna lie, almost shed a tear reading that.
1 Like
That is much clearer to me as well, thank you for sharing it!!
2 Likes
