There was a recent article in the Washington Post title: Social Media Is Traumatizing Us More Than We Realize.

The article focuses on the widespread implications of repeatedly engaging with social media in these difficult times. Underlying the article is the understanding that trauma is insidious and doesn’t just go away.

So, maybe this is a chance for people who deny the impact of ongoing repeated trauma in early childhood to understand that it doesn’t just disappear. If people without deep trauma in their personal histories are getting traumatized by social media, it may be possible for them to extend their understanding, with compassion and empathy, to people with a history of deep early childhood trauma.

The article is written from the point of view represented by its sub-title: “Here’s how constant COVID-19, racial injustice and political posts can alter your brain and body, plus advice on fixing it.” In essence, it is trying to point out how social media habits rewire people in negative ways – and what to do about it. Again, if people consider the rewiring of brains through social media negativity, maybe they will consider the possibility of vulnerable very young brains being wired and rewired through repeated direct abuse.

I have many concerns about those with DID interacting on social media outside of the safety of trusted/trustworthy online support networks. I find it difficult to accept how the trauma of interacting on social media is characterized as so dangerous while the real world trauma that those with DID experienced, and still are affected by, is ignored or dismissed by so many people – including psychiatrists and other therapists

Perhaps if those who are experiencing (and perhaps treating) the adverse impact of social media on those who willingly participate in it consider how a small child might respond to repetitive ongoing trauma that are choicelessly subjected to, they would get a small glimpse of the poisonous potency of early childhood trauma.

From the hopeful point of view, PTSD was not dealt with until the military could no longer ignore it. Once that happened, complex PTSD related to DID slowly started to become acknowledged at least as a possibility. It would be helpful if this explosion of articles on social media related trauma led to a greater understanding of the consequences of repetitive trauma such that there becomes another gateway to acknowledging ongoing early childhood trauma resulting in DID.

At the same time, there are dangers discussed in the article that may be relevant to the DID community. For those interested, here is the link to that article: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/social-media-traumatizing_l_602d2c88c5b673b19b654d88

best wishes