Today, Explained Is everything trauma now?
Feb 4, 2022
Stephanie Fu, a former reporter for This American Life and author of "What My Bones Know," dives into the evolving definitions of trauma. She examines how the term has expanded in the age of social media, especially post-pandemic. Fu argues for a nuanced understanding, stressing that while trauma should not be diluted, it is crucial to acknowledge the resilience people show. The conversation critiques the casual use of 'trauma' and emphasizes the importance of validating personal experiences of pain in today's society.
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Trauma's Rise in Popular Culture
- "Trauma" is increasingly used in popular culture, social media, and even jokes.
- This overuse can dilute the term's clinical significance and trivialize genuine suffering.
Reasons for Trauma's Increased Usage
- The rise of trauma discussions links to the COVID-19 pandemic and societal stress.
- However, "trauma" has been rising since the 1980s, reflecting evolving clinical and cultural understandings.
Trauma's Etymology and Evolution
- "Trauma" originates from the Greek word for physical wound.
- Freud's work on hysteria influenced early psychological understandings of trauma, later evolving with WWI's "shell shock" and Vietnam War's PTSD.
