[doggiedo]

I've started to read this great novel and it focuses on the relationship of two twin brothers who are adults now, and one was hospitalized for schizophrenia. Although the book is very well written and I'm on the first 100 pages out of 900, it seems pretty sad and emotional. I want to keep reading bc it is enthrall ing but I also want to stop bc the stories of how he is treated- it's all too much and it makes me really sad. Like really, really sad.

I start to question how he human race can do that to each other, what is the world coming to, etc.

This has happened before with sad movies- it rocks my world and I have to limit what I watch. I know it also impacts me even more than I ever thought- since I have very vivid and intense dreams. I always remembered my dreams for as long as I could remember- since a young kid.

So do I feel more deeply than most? Should I limit myself with what I read, too? I like books that have a good storyline and substance but I think this one is just a lot to deal with, especially since it deals with a mental health issue (btw I deal with depression, not schizophrenia like in the book. Currently I'm doing well).

[asp1079]

I feel like some people seek out such materials, movies and books that are profound, depressing and deep, because they might conciously or subconsciously align to the message inside of them - whether it's the characters' emotions or the sad nature of the story. Often depressed people, or very emotional people, will like these enthralling, deep and sadder stories and movies since they can personally identify with them and almost seek refuge in them. I've read about this and feel this way myself. If you have very deep, intuitive emotions, maybe a more melancholic side of yourself is being reflected back in this intense stories and you just really like how you can identify with them. I'm a depression sufferer too so I think I get you there.

So, the question is, like I struggle with too, how does one really avoid such awesome things one identifies with? I personally identify very intensely to movies like Gia and books like the Anne Sexton collected poems since such materials are very profound, deep, tear-jerking, and can allow me to see parts of my own life, my own deeper emotions, and have an outlet to express my supressed sadder emotions. Yet it's important for me to know when is a good time to expose myself to stuff like this. I think that might be important for you, too. Just judge your mood, and how high or low it is. I usually avoid reading or watching such things, despite them being favorites, because they'll only make my moods lower. It's tempting to do it anyway but I really try to force myself to avoid them.

If this particular schizophrenia book is too much for you, just don't read it anymore, for now. Take a break periodically when reading it. Only read 35-50 pages per week. Or just take a break from it totally for a bit. See what happens, and if you pick it up again and it is just too much for you, don't go back to it.

[Thunder Bow]

Our Culture is negatively orientated and "Ain't It Allfull sells, be it books or news. We are culturely imprinted from birth with anxiety and negative thinking. yes there are bad things happening to all kinds of innocent people. Be aware of this, but don't "crank" on it.

Hollywood has become more negative and nasty over the years to being literally offensive in some cases.

I found good feeling movies like Avatar and Life of Pi to be uplifting and I connect with them better than I do with the depressing ones. Be selective as you are doing.

[Open Eyes]

I think the other posters have some good points. The truth is that there are many unfair sad things that go on in the world. Identifying with the sadness in the book you are reading can be a challenge as you discribing. However if this book gives you significant ways that can "enlighten" you where if inspite of the sadness the charectors find ways to overcome, that can help.

By seeing things that we can identify our own sadness with, and learning that we are not alone can help us connect to the world, verses trying to surpress our sadness. If we can connect with that, we can also connect with the healing that can take place, inspite of the life challenges that can be sad.

So when picking reading material, it is important to know if there is going to be exposure to "enlightenment", that is good. If not then it is better not to read something that will only serve to bring you down and aggrivate your depression.

Open Eyes

i'm actually really guilty of this... really guilty of watching sad movies, reading sad books, etc, when i'm all ready depressed and not coping- but it actually makes me feel better at the same time as making me feel worse... but i'm getting better at trying not to do this!

1 movie that's actually quite triggering, is to save a life- and when i used to feel empty and depressed, i'd put it on so it made me feel something bad.. even though i know i shouldn't feel it

but it also makes me feel better because i know i'm not the only person going through what ever it is- and i can relate a lot

[Perna]

That's a tough one but I think you have to decide for yourself whether to let go of this book or continue on. I have a hard time with movies, don't like going to the theater versus home because I can't change the channel or get up and go away, etc. :-) Emotion like that is hard for me too. I even skip pages in books when I am afraid of a scene; maybe you could try that a little? Skip 4-5+ pages until a tough description is over?

[mednurse80]

I think if it is a trigger, then you should stop reading it. There have been things that have triggered me and I thought in the beginning they would be helpful but they really had a negative effect on me. Know your limits. Is it really a huge deal if you don't read the book, now? Maybe in the future you will be ready.

[doggiedo]

Thanks guys, I just skipped the chapter, or well a couple of those paragraphs. It really is an enthralling and powerful book. I'm another 100 pages into it. I think it depends on when I read it too...at night before bed, I feel more vulnerable and sad. I read today during my lunch and I enjoyed it, and ate up every second.

But I hear ya, sometimes it's easy to get pulled in and all upset over the emotions it brings up. I just have to be strong enough to say, enough is enoug.