Biggest Misrepresentations Of Trauma In Media?

[Air]

Something I was thinking about recently is this sort of cliche about the "tough person with a troubled past" thing, where someone in a movie or show will start going on about their past as a sort of exposition for character development. I'm sure you know the kind of thing, someone saying in a gritty voice something like "he only stopped beating me long enough to rape me" or something similar. It sort of establishes them as being someone who's survived horrible things and is a no-nonsense rough-and-tumble sort of character.

Now everyone I've ever even heard of would not ever start talking about traumatic childhood memories to a complete stranger. Even if they didn't have a bunch of lingering psychological effects I can't see someone doing this, I mean it's tough enough for me to open up to my therapist and close friends, it's only over the internet I can open up to strangers and only where it's relevant and I won't have to see them in person if I don't want (ahh the joys of the modern age).

Are there any other common examples of things that you've noticed where you just think "yeah that's not how that works"?

 

[sun seeker]

Now everyone I've ever even heard of would not ever start talking about traumatic childhood memories to a complete stranger.

Actually, I crossed paths with someone who was doing just that a few weeks ago. Kind of took me by surprise. I wouldn't do that, but it does happen.

 

[Air]

Actually, I crossed paths with someone who was doing just that a few weeks ago. Kind of took me by...

Huh, I guess I could be wrong, I just assumed there was no way in hell someone could or would do that. I met someone like that, but long story short they turned out to be using it to manipulate and guilt everyone else to control everyone. I suppose I'm just surprised someone could do it so easily, but maybe it's a sort of coping/healing mechanism, I don't know.

 

[sun seeker]

I don't think this person could have been using it to manipulate anyone, since these were people she didn't even know. She sounded like she was in dire straits at the time, but she wasn't even asking for the most basic kinds of help. Just telling about her traumatic past and its effects on the present, sort of like talking about the weather.

 

[Air]

I don't think this person could have been using it to manipulate anyone, since these were people she...

Oh yeah I didn't mean to imply that she was, just saying that I've never met someone who authentically talked about it really openly. It just strikes me as odd that someone could though I suppose it's fully possible.

 

[ladee]

I am one of those people that others, complete strangers, will walk up to and start telling their life story to.. So yes, it happens...This has happened most of my life.. don't know what others see that says that's ok , you are safe. Sometimes someone is just so full, it has to go somewhere. Other times it's apparent it is bravado, covering fear. Making sure others know they can handle themselves in dire situations.
Guess people have lots of reasons for needing to get things said out loud... I'm so used to it, it doesn't shock or make me uncomfortable... Thank the powers that be, I have had a rough life, so nothing shocks me.

 

[Changing4Best]

I purposely don't own a TV, nor do I go to any news pages on the net. I stay in a pretty isolated protected form of life, for my mental and physical survival. I listen to peaceful music and stay away from all upsetting things if I can help it. I know that the news gets it WRONG so often that if they get it right, it is a miracle. I have been on the inside of news stories before, and been given a raw deal. As to TV shows, sheeesh, but the last time I watched TV was years ago and the only channels I could tollerate were the animal channel and The Nature one, if that was what it was called, I forget now.

 

[Sideways]

I thought Good Will Hunting was going really well...until "that" session. T tells him "It's not your fault", Will has a good cry, then scoots off to his true love and brilliant career.

Be nice if it happened like that. My T's been harping on about "the truth" and how it wasn't my fault for years. I still don't cry. And there is definitely no true love or brilliant career waiting in the wings the second I do manage to cry:mad:

Maybe that's just me being jealous:cautious:

 

[mary1979]

Huh, I guess I could be wrong, I just assumed there was no way in hell someone could or would do that. I me...

Ugh. This is my Mother.
Or I should say was because she is improving.

Always the poor me, and always telling any poor bastard stupid enough to ask how she was her entire life story.

I was so ashamed of her doing that while growing up, check out chick was the worst!
Took me til I was 25 to make eye contact or say anything other than 'hi' at the supermarket because of it.

 

[EveHarrington]

I'm not so annoyed by misrepresentations in media. What bothers me more is people saying this character or that character has PTSD because of this symptom or that behavior---------well, no, unless it's explicitly stated that the character has PTSD then you can't assume. I think people want to feel less alone so they draw lines in their minds that don't necessarily exist. Can't diagnose someone online, can't diagnose someone on the silver screen either.

 

[joeylittle]

The biggest misrepresentation in fictional media, I believe, is the quick turnaround. The break-through moment, the clouds lifting, the world getting easier. Many illnesses get romanticized that way because it makes for better drama - but I don't think it sets up any remotely realistic expectations of what having a chronic condition actually is like.

 

[mary1979]

The biggest misrepresentation in fictional media, I believe, is the quick turnaround. The break-thr...

Oh so true!!
When I was first diagnosed in my teens I thought a magical pill and laying on a couch telling a doctor 'how I feel about my parents' would have me fixed in a few weeks.

First, I was totally ripped off. There was no couch!
Second, every bloody medication I tried made me worse (what's the deal with that anyway? On the side of the box of a pill to make you HAPPIER, a little warning, may cause suicidal thoughts? Ok then)
And last, few weeks? 8 solid years of effort, and all I've managed to do is replace one set of symptoms with another, and re traumatise myself.