trauma dumping

This is the recounting of a traumatic experience to someone in a way that is not appropriate or not considerate of the feelings of the other person.  A colleague at work, for example, does not necessarily want to know all the details of your childhood abuse.  A relationship has to be strong enough to give permission for this kind of exchange, and there should be no sense that the other person is being used for the benefit of the dumper.  A situationship (see my New Words 2022) can get difficult if a trauma dumping occurs which is not followed by any greater closeness in the relationship. The other person may feel that the situationship is simply providing a convenient outlet for the dumper who has no intention of making any further commitment.

Trauma dumping is not the same as venting which is described as letting off steam.  A bad day at work may give rise to a couple of outbursts but after that it is over. The trauma dumper repeats the same story, the same experience, any number of times with any number of people.  It can become a very bad habit.