“Being Laid Off”: 25 Everyday Traumas That Aren’t Taken Seriously

We aren’t always aware that we are going through something traumatic during the experience. However, hindsight can reveal a lot more about the impact it has had on our psyche. Mental health issues aren’t necessarily cut and dry which is why we require therapy to address any underlying emotional ramifications. 

#1

Image source: turtlewhale42, Getty Images

Being laid off. After it happens once, you fear for the loss of your future jobs at all times.

#2

Image source: These_Wall1819, Michelangelo Buonarroti

An infestation of any kind in your home.

We had a bird mite infestation a few years ago and it nearly ruined our lives and relationships – emotionally and financially. Horror.

#3

Image source: Livid_Opportunity545, Getty Images

Betrayal. You never realize how truly traumatizing that is until it happens to you. But it kills a part of you that you can’t get back.

Edit: I didn’t expect this to be the top comment. I’m so, so sorry to anyone that relates. You deserved better.

#4

Image source: Intelligent-Muscle42, Andrej Lišakov

Being the target of a stalker. It’s been 5 years since the last incident but I still feel fear every time I walk outside of my house.

#5

Image source: reddituser135797531, Thirdman

Life after cancer. People expect you to just be able to bounce back to normal and “be happy” from hearing you are “cancer free.” in reality the fear of reoccurrence eats away at you forever.

#6

Image source: Empty_Caterpillar744, Alin Luna

A pet dying unexpectedly. Some people expect you to get over it instantly.

#7

Image source: JustAnotherVSCOGirl, Kindel Media

Parents that doubt/deny their child’s emotional experiences. It creates a narrative that you are a liar and cannot trust even your own reality.

#8

Image source: tessy2cutex, Ketut Subiyanto

Accidentally opening the front camera. u see yourself from an angle no human should ever witness 😂.

#9

Image source: ballerina22, Thirdman

Medical gaslighting. I spent 15 years waiting for someone to figure out my neurological issues and I can’t count the number of specialists and regular doctors who tried to tell me “it’s all in my head” (well, duh, it’s a neuro issue), refused treatment or diagnoses, that I must just have anxiety, etc. As it turns out I needed a double neurosurgery – with both done at the same time. It was brutal and I very much had some severe problems.

Medical trauma and PTSD is very common in those with chronic illnesses.

#10

Image source: CallingDrDingle, Alena Darmel

Being betrayed by someone extremely close to you. It’s something you’ll remember forever.

#11

Image source: MichaSound, Tina Markova

Mild sexual m*****tation. By which I mean a squeezed b*m, or someone grabbing your b**b over clothes, or brushing your c****h over clothes.

My oldest kid recently confided in us that she was groped by a distant family member several years ago. She was 9 years old.

Now a lot of stuff makes sense: her depression, self-harming, high anxiety and refusing to hug me or her dad anymore. If I ever see that guys again, I’ll k**l him.

(And before anyone asks, yes, she is in therapy and yes, we’ve been to the police, that’s currently in motion. We’re also outing him to the whole extended family and they can do with that what they will).

#12

Image source: JaxxyWolf, Yan Krukau

Being in a toxic workplace. I would be reprimanded for the littlest of things, given attitude for asking a simple question or confirmation, even set up to seem like I messed up something when in reality I found evidence that that wasn’t the case. Even showed them this and all I got was a shrug.

That was 4 years ago. To this day in any place I work at, if I’m ever called to the office for something I immediately get nervous. It’s gotten better but there’s still that tiny bit of worry that’ll grip me in a chokehold sometimes.

#13

Image source: Mateo-556, RDNE Stock project

Having someone close to you die for the 1st time.

#14

Image source: korosivefluide, Ivonne Lecou

When parents are just there. They give you shelter and food, they are functional and seem okay, but they just arent really inveted in their child. Its growing up in complete emotional isolation.

#15

Image source: DownwardWind, Polina Zimmerman

Reading the news and using social media (like Reddit) that heavily relies on sharing news and negative opinions, scenarios, photos etc. It’s literally damaging our psyches, because we are not meant to be under constant bombardment of (mostly negative) information. My therapist told me that she is convinced that taking a few weeks, maybe even months off “being online” would vastly improve the mental health of most of her patients.

I listened to her and now I often take media breaks. Sometimes I just disappear for a weekend, sometimes for longer. The effect on my mental health is almost immediate and very noticeable.

#16

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Being an outcast (socially). I read somewhere that the brain registers it as physical pain but don’t quote me on that.

#17

Image source: Hot_Department_9331, Keira Burton

Having a mom who did not want to be a mom.

#18

Image source: L9an, Ahmet Kurt

Unemployment and being rejected over and over for jobs.

#19

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I think people don’t realize how powerful their words and actions are. Like you may think it’s fine to be rude and angry but that may stick with someone for a LONG time.

I remember being made fun of for dancing in 8th grade by a boy and a bunch of kids laughed at me and I still struggle with it.

#20

Image source: Gottech1101, Sofia Alejandra

Realizing your blood relatives are nothing more than individuals with similar genes. They do not automatically comprise a family and they can be more cruel than strangers because they know how to hurt you.

#21

Image source: KitchenOpening8061, Daniel Martinez

Heart break.

I think some people believe that it isn’t that big of a deal, and maybe in some cases it isn’t. But when you put your faith and trust into someone and they go cold and indifferent on you, when you’re trying to show up, that can destroy you.

#22

Image source: Low-Flamingo6078, Darina Belonogova

Being diagnosed with a chronic illness.

#23

Image source: Mysterious_Lie6240, Ron Lach

Living in constant uncertainty!!

#24

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Bedbugs.

#25

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Growing up fat.

Constant discussion about your body, being put on diets, it being assumed you aren’t as good at sports. It’s basically ingrained in you that being fat is a character flaw and that you’re less than.

Also looking back on my childhood photos, I wasn’t fat. By any means. I’ve always been tall and bigger, but basically taking up space wasn’t ok I guess. Every doctor visit a comment, kids in school picked on me relentlessly, my mom had me on diets and restricted food nonstop while my skinny a*s brother could eat whatever he wanted. I wish I could hug 8 year old me.