By now, many of you have read the indictment. More of you have read news coverage. This article isn’t here to speculate on what will happen to Diddy. It's to address what we do for the people living through the fallout of a psychiatric mass-casualty event. It’s not about what will be demonstrated at trial. What’s happening now is traumatic, too, for survivors, myriad.
Sean Combs is well-known to many people. Even my aunt, an old Italian lady named Vickie, met the man before her death. Plenty of people went to parties he threw. I don’t know any specifics, but I’d imagine only a portion were “Freak-Offs.” Those people will be traumatized, squicked out, upset, or something else. The charges against Sean Combs have an impact on many others. It’s—plausibly—Jeffrey Epstein-level horrible.
This article isn’t about Diddy—the legal system will adjudicate his guilt or innocence. It’s about everyone else in the blast radius. It’s mainly about those who did nothing wrong, with a few thoughts spared to those who were ensnared and will look back on their roles with regret. You know an issue is a big deal with the DOJ issues a press release about your case:
HSI Acting Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker said: “Today, we shatter any false notion of impunity as we uncover the defendant's alleged pattern of manipulation, exploitation, and outright abuse. Make no mistake: we are here today only because of the unwavering strength of victims and witnesses who have already endured unspeakable hardships. I commend them for their courage and urge anyone who believes they are a victim of sex trafficking to contact HSI by email at Sextrafficking_outreach@hsi.dhs.gov, or via our mobile tip-line: 1-877-4-HSITIP.”
However, as we have learned repeatedly, legal processes are slow and do not particularly offer healing experiences. Healing and justice are only occasionally colleagues; sometimes, they exist at odds.
What, then, should we say to those who have been hurt, traumatized, and derailed by the experience of Sean’s alleged conduct—or any such very public trauma? Contra prosecutorial press releases, the strength of victims might waiver in times other than their interactions with law enforcement. Some recommendations follow for those hit by the emotional shrapnel.
One: Recognize that Trauma Exists.
Trauma, large and small, is a very real experience. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is one kind of post-trauma impairment, but it’s not the only one. Familiarize yourself with the existence of trauma and PTSD so that you can make some sense of your experience. The PCL-5 is one trauma rating scale that exists, but just reading what is on it might be, in itself, therapeutic. It includes 20 questions that ask “if you experience…”
Repeated, disturbing, and unwanted memories of the stressful experience?
Repeated, disturbing dreams of the stressful experience?
Suddenly feeling or acting as if the stressful experience were actually happening again (as if you were actually back there reliving it)?
Feeling very upset when something reminded you of the stressful experience?
Having strong physical reactions when something reminded you of the stressful experience (for example, heart pounding, trouble breathing, sweating)?
Avoiding memories, thoughts, or feelings related to the stressful experience?
Avoiding external reminders of the stressful experience (for example, people, places, conversations, activities, objects, or situations)?
Trouble remembering important parts of the stressful experience?
Having strong negative beliefs about yourself, other people, or the world (for example, having thoughts such as: I am bad, there is something seriously wrong with me, no one can be trusted, the world is completely dangerous)?
Blaming yourself or someone else for the stressful experience or what happened after it?
Having strong negative feelings such as fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame?
Loss of interest in activities that you used to enjoy?
Feeling distant or cut off from other people?
Trouble experiencing positive feelings (for example, being unable to feel happiness or have loving feelings for people close to you)?
Irritable behavior, angry outbursts, or acting aggressively?
Taking too many risks or doing things that could cause you harm?
Being “superalert” or watchful or on guard?
Feeling jumpy or easily startled?
Having difficulty concentrating?
Trouble falling or staying asleep?
All those items are on a trauma rating scale because they can be associated with…exposure to trauma.
I know, I know.
Two: An Evaluation is not Mandatory Treatment
You can go and see a doctor to get a diagnosis. Only. You don’t have to agree to medication, therapy, or any treatment. Someone completely different can do the treatment than the person who does the evaluation. Asking a physician to hear your story and interview you doesn’t mean any next step has to follow.
Involuntary treatment does exist—if you are acutely suicidal, it’s possible you could be referred to an emergency evaluation. But, aside from an emergency circumstance, there is the option of getting just an assessment and deciding what you’d like to do later. You can even tell the physician (or psychologist or other health professional) that you only want to accomplish an evaluation. Treatment is a separate step, a separate consent process, and you aren’t automatically consenting to treatment because you consent to an evaluation.
Diagnosis can sound like a label, and sometimes that is the case. But, if someone does a good job, they will offer you an explanation of what is happening to you, and a diagnosis is only part of that. Remember Buggs Bunny? “What’s Up, Doc?”
That is the question you are asking.
Three: “Yes” at the Time isn’t Consent
Your consent was not obtained in a traumatic experience, almost by definition. Just because someone asked you something, and you said “yes?” This isn’t obtaining informed consent. We differentiate this in medical care all the time. Some people can’t provide informed consent—for example, those who are drunk or otherwise intoxicated. We, scientists, have long processes for obtaining research trials because the more risky or uncertain, the more we must lay it all out for you. But someone handing you a drink, and you grab it with your hand? “You want to do this, right?”
That was unlikely to be informed consent you provided to whatever came next. It may have been coercion or “assent,” but if you didn’t know what you needed to know? It wasn’t okay, and your agreement doesn’t render what happened acceptable.
Four: Help Might Be Helpful
I wrote about seeing someone to get an assessment because I think if you are suffering, it’s a good idea to consider seeking help. Start slow. See if they have helpful information for you. Bring a friend or family member, maybe, to wait outside. Take your time. But…get some help, because it might make things better.
Five: More than Pills and Talk Therapy Exist
I write about this all the time. Some treatments can change how your brain works after trauma in a way that will heal. It’s not just pills or talking about it, although those exist too.
A very brief summary of options in the various stages of research and approval:
GammaCore nVNS (in FDA-Breakthrough process now)
And… so many other options are coming. Research is happening now on Ibogaine and Psilocybin. And more, more, more. Ultrasound! It’s a lot in the pipeline, and even old fashioned therpay and ignoring the news are great places to start.
Six: Don’t Give Up
Trauma sucks. It can get better. I see it all the time. If you are thinking of killing yourself? Don’t. The way back to yourself will come, be steadfast.
Thank you for this valuable post. The information you provided is incredibly helpful not only for individuals who have experienced trauma but also for those who support them. I appreciate that your perspective extends beyond mass trauma events and offers significant information for anyone affected by trauma.
Well said!