Yuki’s Feature in Verywell Mind - All about trauma lurking
I’m thrilled to share that I was featured in a recent Verywell Mind article titled “Can Trauma Lurking Help You Heal? What the Experts Say.” Being invited into a conversation on trauma and healing feels deeply meaningful, and I wanted to take a moment here on my blog to reflect on what it means, what I shared, and why this topic matters to me (and probably to more people than we realize).
What is “trauma lurking”?
The article defines trauma lurking as quietly consuming other people’s trauma stories online, reading, scrolling, and watching, without necessarily engaging, commenting, or sharing your own. It’s that impulse many of us feel to read about others' pain, betrayal, healing, or losses, often in community threads, social media, or forums. (verywellmind.com)
Some of the key ideas from the article:
For many, trauma lurking offers validation. Seeing someone else’s story can reflect parts of our own, lift shame, and help us feel less alone.
But lurking can sometimes slide into being harmful when it replaces active coping, worsens symptoms, or triggers someone emotionally.
Experts suggest ways to stay healthier in relation to this behavior: grounding, breathing, therapy, self-compassion, social support, and other practices.
My contribution / what I shared
In the piece, I spoke about how trauma lurking is more common than you might think. There are signs that trauma has impacted you more than you realize, and show up as dissociation or emotional distress.
I also emphasized using a variety of coping skills to regulate the nervous system and create an emotionally healthy lifestyle.
Why this matters to me (and maybe to you)
Connection and validation: I believe that one of the most powerful forces in healing is seeing yourself reflected in someone else’s story. It’s healing to say, “Me too.”
Balance and awareness: There is a difference between absorbing stories and letting them consume you. Awareness is key, knowing when we need to pause, to shift from being a watcher to caring for ourselves.
Active healing vs passive lurking: Healing isn’t just about hearing others’ stories. It’s about doing the work, talking, processing, getting help, and practicing compassion toward ourselves.
What I hope people take away
It’s okay to feel drawn to other people’s trauma stories. There’s often something in them that resonates with what we carry.
It’s also okay to set limits and to recognize when the lurking becomes unhelpful.
Tools like grounding, breathing, therapy, and honest conversations are not optional; they are part of healing.
You don’t have to do it alone. You’re not just a spectator in your own life. You have a say in how you respond, heal, and grow.
Thank you and what’s next
Thank you to the Verywell Mind team for shining a light on a subtle but important part of how many of us relate to trauma. I feel honored to have been part of that discussion.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your own healing, I invite you to schedule a therapy consultation with our team. Whether you are looking for support with trauma, anxiety, or relationship challenges, we’re here to help you move from simply observing healing to actively experiencing it.