[brokenandalone1234]

My fiancé and his friend are watching a show the name of it is OZ. It was a show on HBO years ago. It's a prison show that points out the flaws of the prison system. I know it is a fiction show but the episode they are watching shows a guy with mental health problems being put to death for murder. Well I watched it alright the first time me and him watched it but today I was in the living room on my IPad while they were watching it and I had to go our bedroom because I felt an anxiety attack coming on. I have always had an unrealistic fear of death. When I was 13 I was watching TV with my sister in our Aunt and Uncle's bedroom. What we were watching in no way showed death on it but out of nowhere I started having a panic attack and ran into the living room and jumped in my grandpa's lap and started screaming and crying saying I don't want to die. I have to take my anxiety meds to even go to funerals or I have a panic attack. Please tell me I am not alone.

[kaliope]

no you are not. my t wants to ban me from watching certain tv shows because of the stress they cause me. I don't know how many sessions we have spent trying to reduce my anxiety after watching criminal minds or snapped.

[brokenandalone1234]

I am so glad to know I am not alone in this. I usually pick up my violin and play through the anxiety. That's what I did tonight I had to take a break though I played so long my arm was starting to hurt. I don't see a T at the moment because my last T stopped seeing me after my car broke down and I missed appt. after appt. due to my fiance's unpredictable work schedule. My fiancé tried hard to get me to my sessions but there was days were he would get home right when I was supposed to be at a session. I explained this to my T and she tried to force me back into group therapy which I got nothing out of. So they put me as a med patient only but I had trouble making those due to working two jobs so just two weeks ago I got a letter in the mail saying my file was being closed out. It makes me mad that they would do that knowing my situation.

[bronzeowl]

You're not alone. Certain things on TV trigger my anxiety. The news is the worst offender for me. I can't watch it without experiencing a brief anxiety attack. Shows that specifically deal with death (except crime shows for some reason, I couldn't tell you why) trigger it, too, as I have an intense fear of death, as well.



You're definitely not alone.

[CosmicRose]

Television shows or movies can definitely be a trigger for people.
I think you should attempt to process death slowly so that you aren't triggered so strongly unexpectedly. At your own pace, you should try to understand death as much as possible. Perhaps do some research on the human body's process when dying or reading books (that aren't scary of course, more scientific or philosophical), you can even watch Youtube videos that discuss near-death experiences (these helped me in particular, because I also had a huge fear of death, it was because I literally didn't understand death).

[brokenandalone1234]

I am scared to try and understand death even more because I know the videos will trigger my anxiety really bad.

[Werewoman]

News stories about child abuse can keep me up for days. I also stopped watching Law and Order SVU because I found it too disturbing.

[gayleggg]

I have anxiety if my husband watches a football game because of all the noise and his constant armchair refereeing. I can't stay in the room. I can watch some sports but not if someone in the room is whooping and hollering. I don't know why it just is. So I don't think it is unusual that some TV shoes cause you anxiety. I can't watch the news anymore, it is too upsetting for me.

I, also, don't find your needing medication to go to funerals is unusual. I think many people have anxiety at funerals. I know I do. I still remember the first one I ever went to because it was so traumatic for me.

Just be assured you are not alone in your fears or anxiety. Be patient with yourself during these time and just take care of yourself the best way you can.