trauma dumping

[ trou-muh duhm-ping, traw- ]

noun

1. unsolicited, one-sided sharing of traumatic or intensely negative experiences or emotions in an inappropriate setting or with people who are unprepared for the interaction.

Other Words From

• trau·ma dump·er noun
• trau·ma dump verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of trauma dumping¹

First recorded in 2022

Example Sentences

Another wrote, "I did not have us all trauma dumping on Elmo on my bingo card."

From Salon

But over the last month, several of her former fans have alleged that while they were still minors, the YouTube personality was “grooming” them to exploit them for free labor, “trauma dumping” on them during her divorce and sending sexual jokes in a group chat that included underage fans.

From Los Angeles Times

Even long after the “trauma dumping therapist” exited TikTok and explanations of the true meaning of “trauma dumping” had caught fire across the internet, videos dissecting the incident and the term proliferated.

From Slate