"Shocking" Media - Responses Are Appreciated For A Research Question

[jenh]

Also, How do you deal with recovering after a visual/auditory trigger has occurred? How do you cope?

 

[NarcSis]

Hi Jen,

I believe I have already completed a survey by you through work. Interesting that we should re-connect here. :) Hope you are coping well.

In respect of your first question above, if I were to rank my discomfort with media it would be as follows: Movies, TV shows, commercials, select books and occassionally the internet.

I find the internet provides me with more control to avoid the websites that could contain potentially triggering material, so it is for the most part safe for me.

Movies and TV shows tend to have periods where there is some sort of emotionally charged scene - regardless of genre. Believe me, I triggered while watching the opening scenes of Madagascar 2 !! Not fun in a theatre full of kids! I find these sorts of media are less predictable in terms of their 'safety' for me because the emotional component seems to be enhanced in my current state. I will cry when someone on screen is crying, I will feel the fear portrayed on screen as if it were real and happening to me, I will identify to the Nth degree if there is even a hint that a character is having a 'flashback' and is afraid...this is the worst because it makes me feel totally vulnerable and I usually end up rocking myself in an attempt to ward off the rising anxiety. I am thankful that in my own home I have the control to change the channel if I am beginning to notice heightened anxiety. All of these reactions are new to me since I experienced my trauma.

This week of Rememberance has been hell, I have mostly avoided watching any of the veteran shows or the war movies that I used to love watching. I went to get a poppy the other day and my eyes welled up as I was pinning it on...I left right away. I am dreading the newspapers for Wednesday.

As for coping, sometimes I can be hit hard out of the blue and then its a matter of letting the anxiety run its course while trying to maintain my safety - stay on the couch, go fetal, cry, scream, let it out. I have been taught that anxiety has a peak and it eventually wanes, if I am unable to prevent its expression, I will let it run its course - it wanes. Often I try to prevent the trigger by using distraction - talk about something completely off topic, leave the area, pace, use bright colored toys (which I keep with me), lights and cold packs.

I find the cold works best, its like a slap in the face, only not as harsh, LOL.

Hope that helps.

 

[This Ends Now]

Also, How do you deal with recovering after a visual/auditory trigger has occurred? How do you cope?

JenH,

It depends on the severity and the situation.

For example: I tried reading "the Tao of Pooh" in an attempt to de-sensitize myself to the Pooh Corner triggers. Even though it was a good analogy I found it very triggering to just look at the pictures. I would see a picture and put the book down and try to re-center myself. Because it was something that I was in control of I was able to ground myself mindfully with light sedation.

Second Example: I was watching a movie a few nights ago that had some triggering scenes in it. Since I was at home and with my fiance I was able to get up and walk away... smoke a cigarette, take my medication, spend some time distracting myself with video games.

Third Example: Often there is TV in waiting rooms and sometimes it can be very triggering. It would be bad to cause a scene in those situations. If I can step outside that helps. If I cannot leave then I try to break apart what I am seeing or hearing. If it gets to be too much and I start to have a panic attack or flashback then I kinda roll with it. If the people who have control over the media see what effect it is having on me then they will usually make adjustments.

Fourth Example: Friends like to go out for movie night. I have had to avoid many movies and just stay home. I try to scout out the movie ahead of time and predict how bad the triggers will be. If I go and I get too triggered then I leave.

Example Five: Loud rock and heavy metal are triggers for me. This is inconvenient when roommates have friends over for band practice. I lock myself into the quietest room of the house and play some counteractive media to reduce the stress. Hymns and classical music work very well for me in these situations. I have also invested in ear plugs so I can sometimes walk around the house when all the chaos is going on.

Example Six: Group decides to watch a triggering movie in my home. This is an extra big problem for me. Heavy sedation is frequently needed. I also either avoid the group (if possible) or if the media is very loud then I expose myself to it but watch the people watching rather than the movie itself. I am usually able to disassociate a little and view it as a science project (much like I did when my friends watched the series 24 for several seasons straight through).

In any of these examples I try to take control as much as possible. If I cannot establish control I look for escape. If neither is available then I go to sedation. If nothing else is working then I accept the reactions that I am going through and do not try to hide them. I refuse to be ashamed of the fact that I have PTSD and sometimes people need to see what a panic attack or flashback is like in order to understand. Many times that has been what it takes for others to realize the severity of this illness and the importance of taking special precautions.

I am glad you are doing this research and am happy to offer any data I can to help. If you would like more personal details then please feel free to ask or PM me. Keep up the good work! :thumbs-up

Liz H.

 

[anthony]

I'm focusing on the intrusive nature of television commercials. When you watch TV, how often are you taken aback by something you see, involuntarily?

I would say, rarely to never for myself.