Should people with diagnosed mental disorders limit what they watch/read/listen to?

I have been diagnosed with moderate depression and extreme anxiety bordering on panic. Recently, people in me life have been trying to dictate what it is I watch/read/listen to. Are they correct that I should be limiting myself? If so, what should I stay away from?

Thank you for any help, and anything scientific backing your answers would be much appreciated.

That is a good question but a tough one to answer.
Nothing to back this up but I would think if there are things that you find
disturbing then try not to watch them.
For example I find those dark shows about murder and things like that very
disturbing so I try not to watch that stuff. I feel it really affects my mood.
Just something to think about.
Even with music these days I try to stay away from the sad stuff.
I know this isn't something you probably don't already know but I hope
it helps in some way.

For me I try to avoid watching things that I know will trigger me if I'm in an already vulnerable state. I have depression and struggle with self harm and have also attempted suicide before. Watching things with content similar to that triggers me and will make me more likely to act on any urges I might be having.

Anything that would affect your mood in a negative way is probably something worth avoiding. I guess that is gonna be different for anyone, and is a case of trial and error.

Other than the news, I try to stay away from negativity. My psychiatrist has even suggested I cut back on the news too.

Hi Panicked,

Welcome to PC!!

The way I see it is that the "label" of a disorder shouldn't exclude you from being able to do/watch/read/listen to any specific things.
The key is identifying how that disorder effects you personally and where or if necessary/possible trying to shape how you live to allow yourself the maximum well-being possible, while still being able to experience things that will be important/matter to you. Sometimes you might have to avoid certain things to promote your well-being but that will have a pay-back in how you feel, and there might be a balance in there by replacing those things with other things.

So, I'd suggest you reflect on and start monitoring the effects different things have on you, and at different times e.g. on a "good" day x might not have any negative impact on you.........yet on a "bad" day it might have a massive impact on you.
So if you can compile a list of things you might need to avoid, or reduce, or monitor.......??
And some things you might already instinctively know.
As for books or movies.........if you're unsure, then maybe look for some reviews online and see if there may be something in them uncomfortable or "no go" for you.

And.........while you're self-monitoring, don't forget to exercise some self-care if you can, hey??
If something is feeling a little triggering, ask yourself do you want to carry on reading/listening/watching..........do you want to take a break from it.........do you want to "walk away" from it now..........??

But I wouldn't automatically "black list" anything specific based on a diagnosis, it depends on the person and the effects.........for example you mentioned depression, it might be for you at a particular time that if you found yourself watching a movie which shows some-one struggling you might actually feel understood/feel a connection/feel less alone/identify things you could do to help the way you're feeling/feel an inspiration to push forward, it might actually create a positive........yet then again it could do the reverse and intensify the depression........it would depend on you, and the effects of the depression overall or at the time

And ..........hoping you'll stick around Panicked, this is a great site to be on for advise, understanding and support with some of the things you may be going through.



Alison

More and more research is being done that shows in no uncertain terms how suggestible our brains are, how deeply we are affected by all that we see, by what we put in front of us. One step I take is that although I watch some broadcast t.v., I religiously turn the sound off when the commercials come on because I am convinced that hearing messages all day from pharmaceutical companies about what diseases I may already have and what medication I might need and what I should talk to my doctor about could only have a huge propensity for making me feel sick. I also don't like the condescending tones involved, trying to make people feel dumb and dependent so that they'll buy whatever promises to make them feel okay.

I also don't go on Facebook very often.. once a month or so just to see what photos have been posted by family or friends, but that's it! I'm aware that my experience of it consists mostly of frustration and brain fog (it's mind-numbing), so I avoid it. Taking a break from the news can be a boon as well.

In the end I think you're your own best editor of your experience, although I am sure your friends have good intentions in making their best suggestions to you in this regard. And there's no doubt that what we put into our system, including into our minds, affects our experience and the quality of our lives.

Watch media that makes you feel good. Avoid violent video games and depressing movies that are violent. Find movies that you can connect to the characters and story. Avoid anger based music.

I monitor myself. If I'm feeling particularly anxious, for instance, I won't listen to music that is too hard or fast. No sense in getting my heart going even faster. If I'm feeling down, I don't read anything too deep or sad. I don't think any media should be off limits just based on a diagnosis, though. You probably know what you can handle, and if it starts to feel like too much, stop the song, shut the book, pause the movie, etc.

I'd also suggest monitoring your feelings after watching things. News is not helpful for me so I avoid it. Most shows are too violent for me so I don't watch much. I think it can be very personal so perhaps the well meaning folks in your life could not be so insistent.

Hello Panicked: I see this is your first post here on PC. So... welcome to PsychCentral! I hope you find the time you spend here to be of benefit.

Personally I think EVERYONE should monitor what they watch, read, or listen to. I suspect that all of the violence, the mayhem, the noise, & the bad news we subject ourselves to does a lot of damage to our psyches.

A few weeks back, there was a science series shown on our local public television station titled: "The Brain with David Eagleman". Eagleman is a brain researcher. One of the points he made, during one segment, is that when we're watching a violent scene in a movie, for example, while consciously we may understand it is fictional, our subconscious mind reacts as if it were real. Subject your subconscious mind to enough of these sorts of insults &... well... you get the picture...

Brain research using current fMRI technology is showing that much more of who we are, & what we do, is under the control of areas of the brain to which we have no conscious control than we would typically imagine. It's just my personal opinion, but I think everyone would be a lot better off if they watched, read & listened to things that are comforting & uplifting.

Im just responding to the header question here... Only if you find that certain things are unhealthy triggering..other than that everyone is entitled to watch,listen to whatever they please..."And if it harm none, do what ye will."

Depressing movies! Those bum me out like no other. Then again, I'll sometimes cry out of nowhere while watching something funny or inspiring. Listening to music, especially songs that are nostalgic, can make me feel sad or euphoric. I think it depends on how you're feeling that day, but typically, I would avoid movies with heavy subject matters -- movies like "The Hours" or "Requiem for a Dream" made be uber depressed and obsessed at the same time.