Mental health challenges are hard enough when you deal with them privately. But they’re so much worse when you broadcast a breakdown publicly on the internet. And YouTubers do this regularly, turning to their audience for support instead of talking to a therapist.
The problem here is that audiences aren’t looking to help. They’re there for entertainment. So you’ll find trolls and truly mean people trying to rile you up even more. And then you’re caught in a cycle of trying to win them over and/or argue with them — which worsens the problem.
The perfect example of this is the YouTuber Trisha Paytas. She’s openly talked about having Borderline Personality Disorder and being diagnosed high on the narcissism scale — a deadly combination. So, when her rage kicks in, she eviscerates other YouTubers — uncontrollably spewing hatred. And when she calms down and realises what she’s done she wants to apologise. But the narcissism takes over and she looks for attention via her YouTube channel — usually by crying out her apology in front of a camera on her kitchen floor.
Saddest of all, in one interview she said, “Well, if I’m going to break down, I might as well make money off it, right?” (I.e., make money off YouTube AdSense or sponsorship deals.) Sure, it’s her life and her choice. But it’s heartbreaking that this is her main coping mechanism.
There’s a silver lining, though. While she has a bunch of trolls, she also has well-meaning fans telling her to abandon the internet and get into therapy. And they might have got through to Trisha. Because she’s started therapy and isn’t posting her overwhelming moments anymore.
So, yaaay!!! One problematic YouTuber saved. And a gajillion more to go!!! Lol.