The Belle Gibson scandal- A trauma informed view
Have you been watching the Netflix series "Apple Cider Vinegar"?
I have to admit, I am hooked! I find myself fascinated by the case and the depiction of characters. Yes, I am aware that this show does not claim to be a documentary, does not aim to eductate, but to entertain, shock and most likely gain more Netflix subscribers. As the disclaimers at the start of each episode remind the viewer, "This is a true story based on a lie". Well, probably more than 'a' lie...
What irks me about the show is how Belle Gibson is portrayed as a conniving villain. There is no doubt that what she did was wrong (morally, ethically, legally) when she gained fame by falsely claiming to have cured her terminal brain cancer through natural remedies, and then built an empire on wellness and hope. There is no doubt that accountability is essential, especially given the financial, emotional and possibly physical harm she caused.
Yet as a psychologist I am intrigued by human behaviour, understanding that all behaviour communicates. Do you also wonder what might have driven someone to fabricate such an extreme story?
Belle Gibson's case is a striking example of how trauma, psychological distress, and social dynamics intersect in ways that can lead to deeply harmful consequences. From a trauma-informed perspective, this case isn’t just about deception: It’s about the complex interplay of personal history, societal pressures, and the human need for belonging and validation. And greed.
Many aspects of Gibson’s behaviour suggest underlying psychological distress, possibly linked to past trauma. Reports have hinted at a history of instability in her personal life, and pathological lying is often rooted in deep-seated emotional wounds, including childhood neglect, abuse, or attachment disruptions. People who fabricate illnesses may be seeking care, attention, or control in ways they were denied earlier in life.
It's a fact that we (still) live in a world that often overlooks invisible wounds, so physical illness can become a socially acceptable way to receive compassion and support. I have no doubt that Belle Gibson did experience pain - which then somehow turned into the belief that she had brain cancer.
Gibson’s actions must also be understood within a broader cultural context. The wellness industry (particularly its more extreme fringes) thrives on distrust of mainstream medicine, the glorification of self-healing, and the promise of control over one’s health. This industry can be particularly seductive to those who feel powerless, including trauma survivors. Gibson may have tapped into this movement not just as a means of financial gain, but as a way of reinforcing her own self-narrative, one where she was special, resilient, and worthy of admiration.
A trauma-informed perspective does not excuse manipulation or fraud, but it does invite us to look deeper. If we want to prevent similar harm in the future, we must address the conditions that enable it: the unmet psychological needs that drive people toward deception, the societal glorification of miraculous healing over nuanced medical realities, and the lack of critical thinking in wellness spaces.
Instead of just condemning figures like Belle Gibson, we should also be asking: How do we build systems that promote genuine healing and ethical responsibility, so people don’t feel the need to invent suffering to be seen?