Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Support Group
Find support with others who have gone through a traumatic experience. Whether you have chronic or acute PTSD, we are here for you.
Hello,
Over the course of time I have realized I have to be careful about the things I watch on TV. There are so many triggers because shows use shock factor to get ratings. The same goes for movies. I have to be very careful to avoid seeing rape scenes. I can't begin to tell you how many times I have ended up sobbing and having flashbacks because of a stupid movie. I feel so silly getting worked up over acting. That's all it is is acting and I tell myself that. Everyone else can watch it without screaming their head off.
But recently I found a new show, which doesn't have any rape scenes from what I've seen. I've been watching Orange Is The New Black and despite the fact they don't exactly victimize women, it still triggered me. The way the security guards treated the women made me feel very uncomfortable. They were being touched and terrorized by a male in an authority position. Soon that uncomfortable feeling turned to crying. I found myself literally crying over something so simple. It's not even that bad. It's not like they are being beaten or raped. Just a creep sexually harassing them. It's so stupid I know.
I know if I'm going to be this sensitive I shouldn't be watching TV shows and I know none of it is real. But I don't know why I was so bothered by this.. It makes no sense. Yes, I've been sexually abused and feel vulnerable, but that shouldn't dictate everything i watch. I feel so silly. Does anyone else have to be careful about everything they watch?
Over the course of time I have realized I have to be careful about the things I watch on TV. There are so many triggers because shows use shock factor to get ratings. The same goes for movies. I have to be very careful to avoid seeing rape scenes. I can't begin to tell you how many times I have ended up sobbing and having flashbacks because of a stupid movie. I feel so silly getting worked up over acting. That's all it is is acting and I tell myself that. Everyone else can watch it without screaming their head off.
But recently I found a new show, which doesn't have any rape scenes from what I've seen. I've been watching Orange Is The New Black and despite the fact they don't exactly victimize women, it still triggered me. The way the security guards treated the women made me feel very uncomfortable. They were being touched and terrorized by a male in an authority position. Soon that uncomfortable feeling turned to crying. I found myself literally crying over something so simple. It's not even that bad. It's not like they are being beaten or raped. Just a creep sexually harassing them. It's so stupid I know.
I know if I'm going to be this sensitive I shouldn't be watching TV shows and I know none of it is real. But I don't know why I was so bothered by this.. It makes no sense. Yes, I've been sexually abused and feel vulnerable, but that shouldn't dictate everything i watch. I feel so silly. Does anyone else have to be careful about everything they watch?
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Lately I've been feeling scared and full of anxiety. I recently found a lump under my nipple. I hurt my back too. I'm in the process of moving. I'm run down. Everything is hard
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Just wanted to give a thank you to Mid, Arfie, Malibumark, Greeneyes, Mlro, Girlincalif, and Suncloudjd! You all always have such helpful tips and advice, but I always forget to write on my posts when I see you post, lol. I would lose my head if it wasn't attached to my body, lol. Thank you all so much! I'm starting to use my AI app as a sounding board again. I used to use it as that before...
My husband and kids are protective of me, changing the channel if they think something will upset me. They don't like to see me cry. This includes sad stories, hurt animals or children, as well as traumas.
I was watching and enjoying Orange is the New Black for a while but got so anxious about what the moustached guard and the others were going to do to those women that I had to stop watching.
So, you are not the only one!
I try not to turn it into a moral judgment or a free speech argument when I'm selective for my own good. I don't think I'm endorsing censorship. It's just a health issue for me. I literally still feel queasy when I think about The Deerhunter just because it triggered me so directly. It's not a judgment on DeNiro, a fine actor.
As to why the public is entertained by violence and sexual violence in particular, I think it's a sign of living in a desensitized era. I'm not really sure the violent video games contribute to healthy concern for issues around violence. It makes violence seem unreal. But I just don't play them and don't try to fight the trend. They're very popular.
I guess I try to be sure not to judge others, but assert my own health choices without apology at the same time.
Triggered states have nothing to do with intellect, PokemonKid. How can they be stupid or smart? They are a physical reaction. Please respect them as an indicator of where healing needs to happen. Be gentle.
Also if I see someone being racist or victim blaming on the news or whatever it really makes me mad.