[doggiedo]

I watched the movie Incredibly Loud, Extremely Close with Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock. It's just so incredibly sad. You ever feel like its almost too much to handle? My heart breaks and it's just si sad. How do u make heads or tails of it all? Maybe I just shouldn't watch movies anymore... Limit my exposure?

[dailyhealing]

Well, does it mess with your emotions longer term or are you just sad while you watch it. I sometimes like watching movies that make me cry because it's an emotional release, or it makes me think about things in a different way. But if it is messing with your mood in a bigger way then maybe it is better to not watch.

[Seshat]

Originally Posted by dailyhealing

Well, does it mess with your emotions longer term or are you just sad while you watch it. I sometimes like watching movies that make me cry because it's an emotional release, or it makes me think about things in a different way. But if it is messing with your mood in a bigger way then maybe it is better to not watch.

I agree. This is what happens to me personally, even with books and music as well.

[Perna]

When something outside of me causes an over-the-top response for me I get curious and wonder what is going on with me. I do not watch very many dramas and no horror movies because it is difficult but occasionally I will concentrate on just what the problem is with a scene that makes me cringe or change the channel or cry, etc.

I believe part of learning to care for one's self involves learning to "contain" one's self and be able to provide healthy boundaries where I know what is "mine" and what is not. If you are uncomfortable with the crying, I would look at what is hurting you that causes you to take a story so much to heart. If the crying feels "good" I would note that also and see if I can find ways to directly express my feelings when they occur in my own life, instead of "wasting" them all on a fake one.

I think we are built to interact with others and responding to a fiction on TV/movies instead of sharing our joy, pain, relief, etc. with other "real" people seems like a cheat to me, a common habit, that does not gain one anything much.

All of our experiences, even enjoyable, relaxing ones are opportunities for us and if you stop watching movies that make you cry, you will be replacing that "not" with something else, will it be as good an opportunity? There are no voids in our life, you can't stop one thing and not have something else rush in to fill the space, even if that something is just sitting staring off into space so, what else would you "rather" be doing or what would help you more, etc. than experiencing the movie?

[shezbut]

doggiedo

Personally, I avoid dramatic films and tv shows. I have made a few exceptions over the years and seen trigger films. I can't recall any of their names right now, sorry. The exceptions were based upon actors in the film ~ how much I've enjoyed prior films, that kind of thing.

One of them was "the Accused" with Jodie Foster. A terrific film, but it was a major trigger for me! The film brought up my heart rate, breaths, tears, panic, and compassion for her character. Holey moley, it wasn't an easy one to watch though! After heavy shows, I always follow them with some comedies, to try to lighten my mood & get my thoughts off darkness.

I haven't ever spent a lot of time watching tv or films, so cutting back further was no problem for me. I do miss funny shows like "Seinfeld" and "Everybody Loves Raymond", that kind of stuff is a lot lighter and helps me relieve some stress.

Originally Posted by doggiedo

I watched the movie Incredibly Loud, Extremely Close with Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock. It's just so incredibly sad. You ever feel like its almost too much to handle? My heart breaks and it's just si sad. How do u make heads or tails of it all? Maybe I just shouldn't watch movies anymore... Limit my exposure?

I think I know exactly what you mean and I experience emotions thinking about these films that I can't explain or understand.

IN 2009 the film the breakfast club was on Xmas day and for the next few days I couldn't stop thinking about it. It was so depressing for some reason.