How do you respond to someone venting about trauma?

When someone is venting, be an active listener. When you listen to the person, it comforts them and can soothe their mental agitation. Never criticize their feelings because it will make them feel guilty and more upset about their actions, and next time they may not come back to you for emotional support.
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How do you comfort someone after venting?

How to listen when someone is venting
  1. Ask the venter what they are most frustrated about. This question does not sound condescending, removes all judgement and allows the person to vent without any fear. ...
  2. Ask the venter what they are most angry about. ...
  3. Ask the venter what they are really worried about.
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How do you comfort someone venting over text?

“What's going through your mind right now?” “Ask non-judgmental questions about how the person feels and what is going through their mind because it gives that person an opportunity to vent [or] process, but also gives you insight into how they might need support,” Given tells Bustle.
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What do you not say when someone is venting?

Don't even think about saying anything close to the following.
  • “Let me play the devil's advocate.”
  • “Well, here's something positive –”
  • “Listen, here's what you need to do….”
  • “How come …”
  • Finally, saying nothing at all may be the worst thing to say when someone is venting. Silence isn't always golden. ...
  • Sources:
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How do you deal with someone who rants?

7 ways to handle a hothead without blowing your top
  1. Let the angry person know you understand. ...
  2. Solicit what the angry person wants from you. ...
  3. Offer what help you can. ...
  4. Set limits on what you'll tolerate. ...
  5. Accept they are doing the best they can. ...
  6. Accept that you're doing the best you can, too. ...
  7. Try humor.
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What Is Trauma Dumping -- And How to Handle It



What do you say to comfort someone?

Helpful things to say
  • "Can you tell me more about what's going on?"
  • "If you want to tell me more, I'm here to listen"
  • "I've noticed you haven't been yourself, is there anything on your mind?"
  • "I can see this is hard for you to open up about. It's ok to take your time. I'm not in any rush"
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How do you comfort someone?

How to Comfort Someone: 76 Ways to Show You Care
  1. #1 Text a photo of a fun memory. ...
  2. #2 Start a project together. ...
  3. #3 Acknowledge their feelings. ...
  4. #4 Bring them a surprise dessert. ...
  5. #5 Ask 36 Deep Questions. ...
  6. #6 Pick up the phone. ...
  7. #7 Send a thoughtful text. ...
  8. #8 Show gratitude with a handwritten letter.
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What is trauma dumping?

Trauma dumping is when someone shares traumatic details or events without another person's consent. Before confiding in someone, it's important to make sure that they can properly support you.
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Is venting too much toxic?

While venting can be a natural part of working through our negative emotions, does it become toxic at a certain point? It turns out, it can. And that's when venting becomes trauma dumping — the act of oversharing your emotions in a way that becomes harmful to the other person.
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What to say to someone after they vented?

The way to listen when someone is venting is to ask them the following three questions:
  1. What are you most frustrated about? This is a good question because when you ask them about their feelings, it often sounds condescending. ...
  2. What are you most angry about? ...
  3. What are you really worried about?
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What do you say to someone who is struggling emotionally?

What to say to someone with a mental illness
  • "Do you want to talk about it? I'm always here for you." ...
  • "What can I do to help?" ...
  • "That sounds really difficult. ...
  • 4. " ...
  • "I'm really sorry you're going through this. ...
  • "Are you looking for my perspective or would you rather I listen?"
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What do you say to calm someone down?

Phrases such as “that must be really hard for you” or “I understand why that would make you anxious” can be very validating and show understanding and support.
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Is trauma dumping a red flag?

Usually foisted upon loved ones, close friends, or unsuspecting acquaintances, trauma dumping can be a problematic red flag for many, setting off alarm bells that a connection is taking on a toxic edge.
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What is trauma dumping vs venting?

Venting is a healthy way to share negative emotions and reduce stress. But with trauma dumping, you overshare in a way that makes the listener feel overwhelmed or ignored.
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What are examples of trauma dumping?

Signs of Trauma Dumping and Trauma Dumping Examples
  • Telling the same story repeatedly.
  • Sharing graphic, explicit details about the trauma.
  • Bringing up past trauma frequently and inappropriately.
  • Talking about their trauma with people their barely know.
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Is oversharing a trauma response?

If you live with complex trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), trauma dumping or oversharing could be a natural trauma response and coping mechanism.
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What are the 4 types of trauma responses?

The mental health community broadly recognizes four types of trauma responses:
  • Fight.
  • Flight.
  • Freeze.
  • Fawn.
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What are the four F's of trauma?

The responses are usually referred to as the 4Fs – Fight, Flight, Freeze, and Fawn and have evolved as a survival mechanism to help us react quickly to life-threatening situations.
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What to say to someone who is going through a difficult time?

These are the most effective:
  • Ask them how they are feeling. Then, listen non-judgmentally to their response. ...
  • Show them that you want to understand and express sympathy. ...
  • Ask how you can support them and resist jumping in to problem-solve. ...
  • Check in to see if they are suicidal. ...
  • Reassure them, realistically.
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How do you console someone using words?

Show up in the ways you know you'd need it, if you were in their place.
  1. “I'm here for you” is a good place to start. ...
  2. “I am always here for you. ...
  3. “Just letting them know, you are there anytime day or night.” ...
  4. “They just need you talk to them like a good friend. ...
  5. “Just be there with hugs and say, I'm so sorry!”
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What is the most comforting thing to say?

24 non-wrong things to say to the sad person in your life
  • Can I help by doing x y or z? ...
  • This is a temporary-yet-painful situation. ...
  • It IS hard to imagine a way out of this mess. ...
  • I'm here to listen whenever you need me. ...
  • I'm so glad we're friends. ...
  • I'm sorry you have to go through this.
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How do you encourage someone in difficult times?

Examples
  1. “I hope you feel your inner strength building day by day.”
  2. “This is tough, but you're tougher.”
  3. “I'm proud of you for walking this road, for doing what's right for you.”
  4. “You're making a big change, and that's a really big deal.”
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What does a traumatized person act like?

Initial reactions to trauma can include exhaustion, confusion, sadness, anxiety, agitation, numbness, dissociation, confusion, physical arousal, and blunted affect. Most responses are normal in that they affect most survivors and are socially acceptable, psychologically effective, and self-limited.
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What are the 5 reactions to trauma?

The freeze, flop, friend, fight or flight reactions are immediate, automatic and instinctive responses to fear. Understanding them a little might help you make sense of your experiences and feelings.
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What are signs of suppressed trauma?

8 Signs of Repressed Childhood Trauma in Adults
  • Strong Unexplained Reactions to Specific People. ...
  • Lack of Ease in Certain Places. ...
  • Extreme Emotional Shifts. ...
  • Attachment Issues. ...
  • Anxiety. ...
  • Childish Reactions. ...
  • Consistent Exhaustion. ...
  • Unable to Cope in Normal Stressful Situations.
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