Does Facebook Cause Triggers And Flashbacks?

[Misul]

I didn't get a FB account until years after everyone else did. Tried it twice. Will never go back. FB shows the worst of people, IMO. Even the so-called "inspirational" stuff is ultra fake. I can see right through it all.

 

[Pietro]

I've had a lot of problems with Facebook. Always seems to show everyone having such wonderful bloody lives, and I have nothing comparative to share. I realize that it's an illusion, that people post a nice facade of their lives for all to see, but, emotionally, it really triggers me.

Recently, I've had better luck going on there and reading it. I think that shows some progress. :) Mostly, Facebook is good for keeping in touch with people you don't see very often, and I know a lot of people that are not local to me. If I can just remember this aspect, and forgot all of the other nonsense, I'll be fine.

 

[ashdawn8287]

I have still not gone back on Facebook it has been a few months. I hate that im not updated to the minute with some people though but I have been hanging out with people more since I got rid of it.

I believe people who always post illusions about how wonderful their life is are the people who have the most emotional damage. If you are truley happy with you're life you wouldn't have that need to post so much about how great life is. Let's be real life is hard no matter who you are. I hate the fake aspect of it.

 

[Pietro]

I hate that im not updated to the minute...

You made a good point that I forgot about. I've never relied on Facebook for this, but I do with email and other social sites, probably including this one. I'm constantly looking for responses on these things, desperate for some indication that people know I exist, people care, etc. Sometimes, if I'm feeling OK, this need isn't there; but when I'm feeling triggered, this need becomes compulsive.

Facebook, Twitter, and other such accounts can really feed this compulsion.

 

[The Albatross]

I registered on Facebook with an anonymous name to support a not for profit, and got not only my ex-husband (as a do you want to connect with) but his second wife. I never logged in again.

 

[Misul]

^ That's happened to me. I cannot handle "running into" people I need to forget about.

 

[Pietro]

I never logged in again.

:D Makes sense to me. At least I'm not alone in disliking Facebook.

I cannot handle "running into" people I need to forget about.

I've had a few of these too. I just usually ignore them; that much I can usually handle. Come to think of it, I've ignored even people I probably would like to connect with. Yup, big problems for me. ;)

 

[rockyspine]

I think that's a great idea if you know it is triggering you to deactivate it, at least until the point where you feel in a better place to deal with the emotions it brings up.

For me, it has triggered me in the past too, just because of a past abuser who I hadn't seen since but turned out to know some people I knew and I saw a picture of him one day on Facebook, really caught me by surprise and triggered me quite a bit. But the world is a small place so you never know when stuff like that can happen. I am currently working through this as it was recent but feel that I can overcome it with a bit more time and brainpower. :)

Good luck.

 

[ggsparky]

I think that I use facebook as a way to see what others are doing because I hate missing out on stuff. Making events is way easier then in real life because you know who wants to come and who doesn't. It's like an organizer, just ignore reading and looking at other peoples pages if it bothers you but organizing events or finding out when your friends are having birthdays is really helpful. Most people don't tell you they are having a birthday party anymore sadly it's just all on facebook. :(