The Consumer Backlash to Therapy-Speak Has Begun

From parody accounts to public critics, this self-care trend shows signs of exhaustion

Thanks to everyone for their support of The Gospel of Wellness! In addition to coverage in NYT, WSJ, People, and The Atlantic, it was also recently profiled by Inc., Insider, The Sunday Times, and more. NPR interviewed me! And Globe and Mail named it one of the best books to give for the holidays!

If podcasts are more your thing, I’ve done well over a dozen. One of my recent favorites? Discussing our flawed medical system, the allure of quick fixes, and the power of marketing with Dr. Danielle Belardo, host of the top health podcast Wellness Fact Vs. Fiction. Listen here.

Also, Jameela Jamil interviewed me on her podcast I Weigh!

If you haven’t already, snag a copy and read what the buzz is about!

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The Backlash to Therapy-Speak Has Begun 

I was recently dining at a cafe when I overheard two millennials venting.

Clad in near-matching moto jackets, the women were discussing the “trauma” they endured trying to secure Taylor Swift concert tickets. They felt “abused” by Ticketmaster, “triggered” by online ticketing systems, and “rejected” by the Bejeweled songstress. 

At least they could process their PTSD over glasses of negroni sbagliato.

Here’s the thing: I couldn’t tell if they were mocking the therapeutic language pathologizing all aspects of life these days, or being totally serious. The word “trauma” has been co-opted to mean everything from the stress of taking finals to bosses failing to acknowledge hard work—even having to wait in an online ticketing queue. Trauma, much like “wellness,” can now mean anything. And when something means anything, it starts to mean, well, nothing.

RNQueenInYellow @QueeninLemon

@Steven_James84 @GayLaVie Dude, my teenagers are like, “Making me empty the dishwasher is gaslighting!” Makes me want to set things on fire.

These trendy “insta-therapy” buzzwords are evidence of concept creep, the gradual expansion of the meaning of harm-related concepts, further and further diluted to the point of white noise. Also infiltrating mainstream culture: “inner child,” “harassment,” and “harm.” The world is suddenly full of narcissists, “toxic” people, “abusers,” and psychopaths. And somehow, they’re all in your life! They’re your exes, bosses, friends, and parents. 

These manipulated terms are used for every slight, discomfort, or challenge. So we’re no longer offended, but rather subject to “emotional violence.” We don’t just need to be heard, but our feelings “validated.” We’re not misunderstood, but “gaslit.” 

Heck, just yesterday “gaslighting” was named Merriam-Webster's word of the year.

Granted, there is real abuse and trauma in this world, but the way these terms are thrown around online devalues them faster than a wallet of cryptocurrency. Wellness influencers, manifestation gurus, life coaches, and even therapists flood social media with ready-made mental health diagnoses, feel-good coddling mantras, and Hallmark-esque affirmations. 

tobeinbloom

A post shared by INBLOOM by Kate Hudson (@tobeinbloom)

Some accounts fetishize challenges and offer simplistic, broad advice—or turn nearly every uncomfortable human experience into cause for alarm. A large percentage fuels unrealistic expectations of relationships. Others promote anti-social or selfish behavior, like swiftly cutting out anyone who doesn’t “uplift” and “authenticate” you.