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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by DaisyM on April 29, 2004, at 0:25:22
I had a weird experience tonight. I had a long, packed day which included therapy late in the afternoon. We had a good conversation but stuck mostly with current problems and upcoming stresses. I left in pretty good shape and attended two more meetings and headed home around 8pm.
I usually watch Smallville with my boys -- we all love Superman! Tonight's episode feature Lex (one of the characters) trying to recover memories about his past. They would show him as a little kid in a number of situations. I didn't really think much about it but started to feel uncomfortable.
At the end, he gets a HUGE memory back about his mother. He confronts his father with the information and his dad says, "If I had know things would have been different." Lex says, "Yes, maybe you would have loved me" and walks out. At this point I'm sobbing and the anxiety in my chest is suffocating. I'm still anxious an hour and half later.
I've never had this happen before. I feel sort of silly and don't know whether to tell my Therapist about this. Maybe I was just tired?
Has anyone else been triggered by a TV show?
Posted by shadows721 on April 29, 2004, at 2:29:44
In reply to Emotional response to TV - trigger, posted by DaisyM on April 29, 2004, at 0:25:22
I would highly suggest talking about this with the t. The show sounded like it was very moving and hit some painful issues in you. It may help you gain more insight into yourself and your own forgotten past. In addition, it might be that just coming from t you had some feelings that really needed to come to surface too. In any case, I think this was to your benefit.
Yes, I have been triggered by movies and tv programs. I do so much that I have to really monitor what I do watch.P.S. -Sometimes, we think we are expressing emotions about someone's else's issues, but it really an avenue to express our own feelings.
Posted by Racer on April 29, 2004, at 8:14:49
In reply to Re: Emotional response to TV - trigger, posted by shadows721 on April 29, 2004, at 2:29:44
Sounds about right to me, Daisy. For me, the triggers from TV tend to be a little less obvious, but they're real enough that I won't watch things that I can predict will trigger overwhelming emotion. It has caused conflicts for me, like when my Aunt was staying with us and wanted to rent Road To Perdition, but I just have to avoid certain types of things to protect myself. Your experience is more difficult, since you couldn't have predicted it, but not that unusual.
I hope it helps to know that other people also react to TV shows. (In the wrong mood, I can be triggered by commercials, so don't feel too pathetic. Fortunately for me, just now the ads on TV tend to bring on anger rather than tears, but it's the same phenomenon.)
Posted by fallsfall on April 29, 2004, at 8:43:04
In reply to Emotional response to TV - trigger, posted by DaisyM on April 29, 2004, at 0:25:22
(((((Daisy)))))
Maybe two hugs today?
(((((Daisy)))))
TV and movies are designed to make us relate to them emotionally. That's why a comedy will make you feel better if you are sad, and why a good drama will make you cry. So it is perfectly reasonable for you to react to the TV show.
The content of that show was very close to home for you. Of course it hit you hard - how could it not have done so?
Talk to your therapist about it - just like you would talk about anything else that generates a strong reaction in you. The context of the show may help to clarify some things that you are feeling that you might not have been aware of.
I'm sorry that you were so upset, and I'm sorry that it spoiled a nice time with your kids. But it all seems very reasonable to me - you certainly shouldn't feel weird.
Sending you my love,
Falls.
Posted by Aphrodite on April 29, 2004, at 13:22:09
In reply to Emotional response to TV - trigger, posted by DaisyM on April 29, 2004, at 0:25:22
Daisy,
I am often triggered by TV, movies, music, and art. Sometimes I deliberately choose things to alter my mood. I remember having to walk out of the theatre during Schindler's List -- I didn't get over that for days.
Sounds like you may need a little Star Trek break:)
Posted by Fallen4MyT on April 29, 2004, at 17:30:32
In reply to Emotional response to TV - trigger, posted by DaisyM on April 29, 2004, at 0:25:22
((( Daisey)))) I am so sorry I would just print your post and take it to t...BUT yes, I have PTSD and have been triggered by TV but for me it's odd...I think cause I do a form of disociation thats odd..I find sad/victim stuff (don't wanna trigger so wont say) but..FUNNY...And I can obsess on it....HUGS
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