News Can Watching Violent/scary Movies Cause Ptsd?

[sea]

She has been dx'd with PTSD and has the symptoms of PTSD.

Except that she doesn't.

She has symptoms of specific phobia, which she has already stated she was diagnosed with. The PTSD diagnosis she has received is extraneous and irrelevant, considering her concerns are firmly described by the diagnosis of specific phobia. Whether or not a "trained professional" diagnosed her with PTSD is irrelevant and ad hominem. "Professionals" are still capable of being incompetent or of making mistakes.

She does not have PTSD. She has a phobia. She even describes this phobia in terms of being a phobia. Unless, of course, she is admitting that she has PTSD from abuse and, separately, specific phobias of television. But diagnosing her with PTSD from television "and" specific phobias (of television) is absolutely ridiculous. I doubt any "professional" on Earth who was worth their qualification would bother with such a compound, irrelevant co-morbid diagnosis as that.

We aren't trying to suggest that her problems are irrelevant or that they do not exist. We are saying that she is continuing to insist she has PTSD and she just does not have PTSD. It matters, because, like you just said - this is a forum for people who have PTSD. And when someone comes on in a huge shroud of denial and attacks others who do happen to know what they are talking about, using the evidence of their "disorder" as proof of this, yes, we might get a little snarky.

It would be like going into a burn support forum with Parkinson's disease. It's completely irrelevant. Avoidant Personality Disorder and Social Phobia Disorder both have symptoms of avoiding other people, but the two disorders are obviously different from one another. Specific (irrational) phobias and PTSD share some common symptoms (I.E: Being triggered, intrusive thoughts) but PTSD is systemic and global whereas specific phobias are, ding - ding, specific.

PTSD is caused by life threatening traumatic situations (you are not born with PTSD, PTSD is something that happens to you only as a result of significant, life-threatening, terrifying, debilitating outside trauma to your person [a reason why, again, some of us are not particularly inclined to be graceful]). Phobias can be both rational (isolated triggers from traumatic incidents that do not result in PTSD, but do result in phobias of specific things), or irrational and crop up out of the blue, for no reason, at any stimuli that exists. There are literally hundreds of thousands of phobias out there. I'm sure there is a phobia that completely describes what H89 is talking about. But it isn't PTSD.

 

[Jet]

The truth is you don't know if she has PTSD or not. You are assuming she doesn't because her understanding and belief of the cause doesn't match yours. Yet none of your are doctors, none of you have spent hours talking to her and none of you have any real understanding of her issues other then what she has attempted to explain here.

As I said earlier, not that long the American Academy of Pediatrics stated that violent tv/movies were one of the leading causes of trauma/PTSD in children (don't know what their stance is now due to the criteria changes). There was testimony before the Senate that compared those traumas/memories and their effects to those who experienced combat or abuse. They believe(d) this because a child's mind CAN NOT distinguish between fantasy and reality. Certainly those claims will have to be re-examined (if they haven't already) due to criteria changes but that does not change the fact that they cause damage or can co-mingle with other traumas to create something ugly.

Right now H89's understanding is that she got PTSD from tv. Do you all really believe that by ganging up on her like a pack of vultures she will change her opinion to match yours? Do you believe that you can bully her into believing as you do? I don't know about any of you but when people try to tell me how I am supposed to think I tend to get my back up and dig in a little deeper. Offer advise/opinions all you want (and I will take them into consideration) but DON'T try to tell me how I have to think because it won't go over well.

Although I don't post often I have been coming to this forum for several years. During that time people's understanding of PTSD had changed significantly. And the simple truth is that in the next 5, 10, 20 years it will probably change more. No one really has that great of an understanding of how the brain works or how things effect it.

Furthermore this is the DEBATE section so people are have the right to voice differing opinions without others trying to belittle them or make them feel like sh*t.

 

[sea]

Offer advise/opinions all you want (and I will take them into consideration) but DON'T try to tell me how I have to think because it won't go over well. Furthermore this is the DEBATE section so people are have the right to voice differing opinions without others trying to belittle them or make them feel like sh*t.

Just like she has the right to voice her opinion, I have the right to voice mine. Amethist has the right to voice hers. Anthony has the right to voice his. It's just that most of the opinions here are in agreement.

It is my opinion that watching television cannot constitute criterion A in the DSM as a significant stressor to cause PTSD. Nor is it the "leading cause of PTSD" in children. Trauma is different from PTSD. They are not one and the same.

This topic was not about whether or not H89 has PTSD. This topic was about whether or not it is possible to get PTSD from watching moives. H89 came in and insisted it was possible, while citing proof of only a phobia and admitting to things which are a more probable cause for PTSD, if she has PTSD at all - something that she has never quantified any symptoms for aside from her symptoms that all fall within phobia criteria.

We insisted (based on our opinions) that the idea that watching television could give someone PTSD is untrue - and that if she has PTSD, it is not due to that, but due to the actual trauma in her life. When referring to the television phobia, it is just that. A phobia. Not PTSD.

Does she have a significant problem? Yes. Does it suck? Yes. Is it serious? Yes. Am I making fun of her for it? No. Am I belittling her for her beliefs? No. Disagreement is not belittlement or anything else, it's disagreement. (If you don't allow room for others to disagree with your thoughts without considering it an infringement, that is another matter entirely.)

But does she have PTSD? Not in my opinion. Does she have a phobia? Yes, in my opinion. Stating your opinion does not at all have to do with telling people what to think. Insisting we can't know because we aren't doctors is an irrelevant argument.

I can't speak for anybody else but I know that I never once maintained to have irrefutable evidence of her diagnosis. It may seem like I do because I have a tough time stating my opinions as opinions (due to my own issues, and I am trying to be better about that), but they are all opinions. So if that wasn't clear before hopefully it is clear now.

Nobody here is claiming to have irrefutable fact and evidence, not even H89. If only doctors could discuss PTSD and have opinions about PTSD, we wouldn't have a forum.

I wrote down my opinions on here because they were relevant to the original topic, which is whether or not television can cause PTSD. And in my opinion, no, it can't. H89 made herself the example when she came here and attached herself to her stance. Because she inserted herself into that role, we naturally refer to her. That is common sense. It comes with the territory in a debate forum that other people may not agree with what you post.

And like I said in my original post, I am not intending to put anyone down. I don't think anyone here intends to do that. (Also I am sorry if I came across as mean, cause the more I read my posts the meaner they sound, but I am not sorry for my opinions. I could have presented them in a less annoyed/frustrated manner, but nonetheless, they stand).

I am presenting my opinion, and I think many others here are as well, that I find the diagnosis of PTSD in this case to be completely unjustified. And the level, and scale, of that unjustified diagnosis (in my opinion), is what is frustrating people here.

I say that not because I believe only my opinions are superior above H89 who I am clearly belittling and bullying, but because of the 2 other posts I made on the subject clearly detailing my thought process on the case, and the two pages worth of comments on here detailing exactly why it isn't possible.

That has nothing to do with H89's character, beliefs, opinions, or person. It is the case that is presented, which H89 herself presented to us, as this thread was not originally about H89 at all.

 

[jimmy-joe]

Just to throw another thought morsel in, perhaps your mind has completely disconnected fear from what you went through, and little things in these random tv shows/actors/actress's etc, are for enough away from the actual situation that your mind can feel the fear about them, even though you may not understand what is connected?

Keep in mind I skimmed most of this thread cause it's lot of roundabout arguing from what I saw, maybe it's just me lol, but, I digress.

I say that tho largely because of

that fact that I'm terrified of my great grandmother's appearance. She greatly resembles one of the actresses I'm phobic of. I of course laid eyes on my great grandmother LONG before I ever saw that damn movie. So please explain to me why on earth I've been afraid of my own great grandmother's face since I was 3 years old?

If you saw the movie when you were 3, and had seen and registered that it was your grandma you were seeing (prior to the movie), then my point is shattered.
But, assuming you saw the movie later, you would be terrified of the actress because she reminds you of your grandmother.

Also, ponderance, PTSD doesn't exactly manifest the same way every time. And doesn't always get uncontrollable right away, it could "hit" when you retire or something. No-one ever knew that I had ptsd (tho if you think about it I've had it since I was 5ish), and still doesn't until I mention it to them. My normal day-to-day reactions are ... normal. (Admittedly I've been tweaking on my family lately).

But anyway, food for thought.

Also, Idk if this has been discussed, but if you can get ptsd from being a witness to a bad event, (not sure if it's in the criteria or not), growing up it would be easy to get a similar sort of thing from watching violent movies since your mind isn't anywhere near fully developed, that whole subconscious getting imprinted idea makes sense in a way, tho probably more from desensitizing I would think, since you are seeing something your subconscious sees as danger, while you aren't in any danger.

:D

 

[intothelight]

Let's take H89 out of the discussion, and focus on the the discussion. We have people that agree and those that do not agree. Jet brought out an interesting point of the effect of violence on a developing mind. When raising my own children, it was a common belief that violence desensitized children to violence, and increasing aggressiveness. Thus the rating system for movies, television and games. I am not saying there is anything wrong with the rating system, but media gave the impression that even allowing your child to watch Road Runner cartoons could be allowing the possibility of a serial killer in the making.

The point of this thread originally was to take a potshot at the media, the expert "talking heads" and the mis-information they distribute to the public. There was a piece about combat PTSD on a prime time news show that focused on a homicide perpetrated by a soldier with PTSD. Unfortunately, it gave the impression that soldiers with PTSD are potential homicidal time bombs. Watch scary or violent programs and you can get PTSD. People with PTSD are dysfunctional, substance abusers, who cannot maintain relationships or jobs. Nice picture isn't it?

I am venting against the half-truths, incomplete information, and sensationalism of the worst cases the media feeds on and projects as the "truth". Focus should be on what PTSD is, attacking the root causes, and on effective treatment. But sensationalism and the "unique" increase ratings. Not the struggles of good people that have had bad things happen and are just trying to live their lives.

 

[anthony]

Hi H89,

From what you have written, you have PTSD from abuse... not from watching movies.

Again... I think maybe a slight confusion in what you associate with triggers vs. abuse, as already stated.

Movies trigger you... they don't give you PTSD. Your abuse you endured gave you PTSD, movies now just trigger your symptoms... which is perfectly normal with PTSD.

 

[Anna]

Movies trigger you... they don't give you PTSD. Your abuse you endured gave you PTSD, movies now just trigger your symptoms... which is perfectly normal with PTSD.

This is so true in many ways. It is like if you are in the area where the trauma happened etc. It just brings back the bad memories.

 

[Girl3]

People who get PTSD have a susceptibility to getting it. So the first requirement is actually having the genetic neurobiological susceptibility.

People who get PTSD CAN have other disorders - like phobias, or personality disorders - and those other disorders can require different treatments than PTSD, or treatments that may even be harmful to someone with PTSD that isn't stable.

Watching terrifying things isn't exposure therapy unless you have a therapist to discuss/help/support with the process - and it may even make things worse. Which sounds like what may have happened to H89.

When I choose to watch a movie that I know is likely to trigger me, I let my psychiatrist know - and I discuss with him after, what parts actually upset me, and how it made me feel, what it made me remember from my own traumas. You see, I am so dissociated that there are years of my life missing - tiny little bits of events that I cannot put words to - but sometimes in watching a movie the feelings and memories will come back. And then I can get it down on paper - to solidify it.

But I do not have cable. I cannot take the news or shows that I am not prepared for - so I have Netflix. That way I can stick to comedies when I am suicidal. When I have a good day and feel strong, then I can pick one of trigger movies. I can stop it whenever I want. I can stop in the middle and write to my psychiatrist. But that is the only way I can do it.

H89 - continue to reach out for help. Dealing with PTSD since childhood makes a tangle of your mind - and often makes us angry for being victims. No one here wants to hurt you - when you have been hurt so many times in your life, it can make you ready to fight. Dr. Phil should know better - he should have discussed how people are susceptible to developing PTSD because of genetics and environment - not just simply seeing a TV show or a movie. Otherwise, everyone should have PTSD because the TV and movies seem to show nothing but violence.

And PTSD is what it is - it doesn't matter if you got it from combat or rape or seeing someone die. For the person living it, it is a nightmare.

 

[Blondie362]

For me movies, news and papers can trigger my PTSD.. lately the Libyan news coverage has put me in a high anxiety state , my best friend was on the pan am flight and I was in the USA waiting to meet her.. the rest is history . also with the recent new that Gaddafi has been killed its been non stop footage on the TV, although there is a sense of justice for my friend, it ignites that I got the news day all over again, so exposure to certain medias is a definate trigger for me.

 

[tinybean]

I found this website (thankfully) through a websearch about movies and how they impact someone who already has PTSD. Sorry for my first post to be bumping such an old thread. But it's truly the post that led me here.

I am diagnosed with PTSD and I was doing FINE - watched this horrible movie (will not even name it and when people talk about I seriously flip out.) - No one understands how this had such an impact on me, and it is unbelievably frustrated.

As I was saying I was doing fine and then I saw this film and BOOM - all my OLD PTSD symptoms came back. It was horrible!!

I cannot watch any horror films now unless I am CERTAIN I will not be alone at all for a few days. Even then, it's a struggle. I mean, it's like, WHY would anyone even THINK of making a film like that,... I'll never understand.

Anyway - I DO believe that if you are exposed to films a lot at a young age that COULD trigger PTSD - as for at an older age where you really have the ability to recognize what you are and aren't comfortable with (as well as being in total CONTROL of your viewing!) you can change the channel or leave the theatre or turn off the film.

As a child though, lets say you are being babysat by someone who puts on a horrid film and then you really DON'T have control in that situation... I do believe that prolonged exposure could FOR SURE cause PTSD down the road. Just my two cents.

 

[Philippa]

I think it's definitely true that you can disturb your own mind with scary films...like I just did watching a documentary about paranormal activity at the property of a now dead serial killer...but I knew what I was in for.

Disturbing images, like from horror films I think can definitely affect a persons mind, but I wouldn't go so far as to say that it permanently traumatizes them...maybe causes a nightmare or two, but that's it.

Seems like a funny thing for a Dr. to be telling people.

If what you are saying is true tiny bean, then I'd be a candidate, as I used to watch really extreme splatter horror films with lots of gore when I was a kid...and LOVED it.

I don't watch horror movies anymore though. As I said, I don't want to disturb my mind any more than it already is.:D

 

[Muzikluvr]

Here was Dr. Phil's response:

Dr. Phil says Caroline’s phobia has some qualities of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Since she’s seen things that have scared her, he says Caroline’s mind travels back to that fear.

I have a feeling that PTSD might be the new "designer" diagnosis. Maybe we can all find that "movie" that caused this and sue the filmmaker???

PTSD is it's own disorder caused by experiencing trauma. The point of this thread is to point out that Dr. Phil could have said she has phobias, which is a valid diagnosis and isn't minimizing her issues. But, for some reason, he decided to say that she has some qualities of PTSD... which may be true, but isn't useful in the discussion of phobias. He said it to get viewers attention. That was for sensationalism. He didn't diagnose her with PTSD. And, there are lots of disorders that share common symptoms with PTSD. But, PTSD is a severe reaction to life threatening trauma. You don't get it from watching movies. It shouldn't have been brought up in reference to her phobia. It only confuses people about the different diagnoses.

People who have PTSD can be triggered by myriad of words and events. And, when they're triggered, they can re-experience their traumas and have a reaction similar to one they would have if they'd been traumatized in the present time. People around them would not understand that response because they wouldn't have experienced the triggered trauma while experiencing the present day event. They only experience the present day event.

I'm sorry you were triggered so badly by the movie, Tinybean. I have some phrases I use which remind me of the closure I experienced when I dealt with my traumas. They work really well for me right now. I find that I continue to understand new facets of my traumas and that causes me to reopen my analysis of my traumas. Then I have to go through a lot of the symptoms again, while I'm finding closure. That's pretty much what having PTSD is like... you get through it, then move on, then get triggered, and have to get through it again. You're going to be ok. You're going to get through this again, and you'll come out with a better understanding so you can get yourself back to balanced sooner next time.

Good luck, and welcome to the forum. :)