"I'm an expert and sharing trauma has become trendy on TikTok with Gen Z"
- 8 months ago
An expert said sharing trauma has become "trendy" on social media - because Gen Z are the first generation not to be ashamed of it.
Meg Schnetzer, 32, is a trauma trained somatic practitioner, and works with people every day to help them overcome their past experiences.
She said we have seen "an uptick on social media" of people talking about their own past trauma - and it has become "a trend".
Meg noted it is common to see people opening up about their traumas on platforms like TikTok - and "owning" their trauma responses.
She said trauma responses are often personality traits - which can include things like being a perfectionist or being anxious - as a result of earlier experiences.
Despite trauma becoming "trendy" as a topic, Meg said as long as the word isn't being "thrown around flippantly", it's not a bad thing.
Meg said this development is something professionals haven't seen before - because Generation Z are the first who are "not ashamed to get loud about it".
Meg, from Smyrna, Delaware, said: "I'm of the belief that nobody escapes trauma - it just looks different for everyone.
"Some people don't even realise they have been through it.
"What's different about this generation is they're not ignoring it.
"As far as trauma goes, I don’t think it’s a bad thing.
"There seems to be a lot of awareness, so that people are feeling safe enough to open up and share their experiences.
"When people are able to work up the courage to share, it ignites a whole movement.
"I definitely think things like TikTok have accelerated the timeline - when I started two years ago it felt like we were speaking into the void.
"But now, especially in the last six months - it's everywhere.
"All in all, I think it’s a great thing that the generation seems to be more self-aware."
Meg explained trauma is about how you were supported while going through a difficult experience, rather than just the experience itself.
She said the emotions and beliefs can be stored in our nervous system - and can be reflected years on in your behaviour.
This could be addiction, lashing out, people pleasing, isolating yourself, or inability to trust people - all done with the intention of protecting yourself in some way.
Meg also reckons the uptick of young people having symptoms of ADHD, OCD and autism may be a result of recognising unresolved trauma.
She said: "It's this interesting crossover between the two worlds and the physical symptoms that go beyond what's in your head."
She explained Generation Z are specifically opening up about this in a way that hasn't been seen before.
Meg said: "A lot of us especially in my generation, Millennials, grow up to be adults that invalidate our own experiences.
"We come from a generation who were invalidated a lot, had emotions minimised and were told to 'pull yourself up by your bootstraps' rather than letting your feelings out.
"So it feels easier in the long run to invalidate those feelings - telling yourself 'I've got this far, its not affecting me that much' - but ultimately it's just another form of avoidance.
"So when I speak to clients I always hear 'why aren't more people being taught this?'
"So while you can't reach the entire world on TikTok, it makes a big difference - people don't know things unless they hear it.
"Now Gen Z are owning their trauma responses and making a conscious stand."
Meg Schnetzer, 32, is a trauma trained somatic practitioner, and works with people every day to help them overcome their past experiences.
She said we have seen "an uptick on social media" of people talking about their own past trauma - and it has become "a trend".
Meg noted it is common to see people opening up about their traumas on platforms like TikTok - and "owning" their trauma responses.
She said trauma responses are often personality traits - which can include things like being a perfectionist or being anxious - as a result of earlier experiences.
Despite trauma becoming "trendy" as a topic, Meg said as long as the word isn't being "thrown around flippantly", it's not a bad thing.
Meg said this development is something professionals haven't seen before - because Generation Z are the first who are "not ashamed to get loud about it".
Meg, from Smyrna, Delaware, said: "I'm of the belief that nobody escapes trauma - it just looks different for everyone.
"Some people don't even realise they have been through it.
"What's different about this generation is they're not ignoring it.
"As far as trauma goes, I don’t think it’s a bad thing.
"There seems to be a lot of awareness, so that people are feeling safe enough to open up and share their experiences.
"When people are able to work up the courage to share, it ignites a whole movement.
"I definitely think things like TikTok have accelerated the timeline - when I started two years ago it felt like we were speaking into the void.
"But now, especially in the last six months - it's everywhere.
"All in all, I think it’s a great thing that the generation seems to be more self-aware."
Meg explained trauma is about how you were supported while going through a difficult experience, rather than just the experience itself.
She said the emotions and beliefs can be stored in our nervous system - and can be reflected years on in your behaviour.
This could be addiction, lashing out, people pleasing, isolating yourself, or inability to trust people - all done with the intention of protecting yourself in some way.
Meg also reckons the uptick of young people having symptoms of ADHD, OCD and autism may be a result of recognising unresolved trauma.
She said: "It's this interesting crossover between the two worlds and the physical symptoms that go beyond what's in your head."
She explained Generation Z are specifically opening up about this in a way that hasn't been seen before.
Meg said: "A lot of us especially in my generation, Millennials, grow up to be adults that invalidate our own experiences.
"We come from a generation who were invalidated a lot, had emotions minimised and were told to 'pull yourself up by your bootstraps' rather than letting your feelings out.
"So it feels easier in the long run to invalidate those feelings - telling yourself 'I've got this far, its not affecting me that much' - but ultimately it's just another form of avoidance.
"So when I speak to clients I always hear 'why aren't more people being taught this?'
"So while you can't reach the entire world on TikTok, it makes a big difference - people don't know things unless they hear it.
"Now Gen Z are owning their trauma responses and making a conscious stand."