Trigger Icon

Just wondering how others feel about the trigger warning icon.
Who really knows if what anyone posts is going to trigger someone?
There should be a trigger warning on every post .
What may trigger Bob , may not trigger Jill , but will trigger Bill.
Just my opinion . What do you think ?

Good question babysteps. I think it helps the reader make p his/her mind if they want to read it. Like if I see a trig icon in the survivors of abuse forum I don't read it. But if it is in the depression forum i do.

i agree with u, even if its a little pic of something to do with the topic thats spoken about... its hard to know what may trigger others as were not them... hope ur ok (((((((((((((((babysteps)))))))))))))

Can't complain .....thanks for asking .
Hope you're doing good as well Teary .

Maybe the trigger icon is for the one who wrote the thread, as they know that what they are writing triggers them. Not sure just a thought. Good day to all and hugs for everyone also.

I think it is a very useful tool if used correctly but your question is a good one as what the poster considers a trigger might not be so at all.

Of course we do not know everyones triggers but it is a useful tool as a warning to those who may not be in a good place and a reminder to do self-care.

The trigger icon should be used for any mention of, and graphic details of abuse, including self harm and past trauma.

If in doubt it is best to use it!

Babysteps as always when reading use self care. here is a link to a post on triggers for you hope it helps
http://forums.psychcentral.com/showt...t=trigger+icon

The trigger warning icon looks like a basketball to me.

I use the trigger icon whenever there is even a possibility of triggering, so you could say I overuse it.

I am new here as of today and have absolutely no understanding of what a trigger is or who it's for. I've read the msgs but just don't get it!

I agree with what both pegasus said, and what muffy linked to. But I also understand where y'all are coming from. I do edit people's posts on occassion when it comes to certain issues:

- basically anything that is indepth discussion of abuse issues (which is why the Survivor's forum is 99% trigger posts!)
- Anything like numbers/weight/caloric information in the eating disorders forum (also goes for indepth discussion of purging/restricting and some of the negative thought patterns)
- Anything involving serious depressive thought patterns or thoughts of wanting to die (which is different than suicidal thoughts in my opinion)
- Any discussion of blood or serious injuries or thoughts to self injure.
- Anything involving past issues involving suicide (discussion of suicide is against the guidelines in certain ways)

Basically, when in doubt, write the word "TRIGGER" as the FIRST word in your posts title, and if a moderator/admin sees it, reads it, and determines it needs a trigger icon, then they'll put one on. If I see a post that contains the word "trigger" as the last word of the title, and it needs a trigger warning - I generally add a trigger icon. The problem with not including the word trigger as the FIRST word is that people can't always see it from the main forums list.

When in doubt about whether you want to read a post or not though, you can hover over top of a post link, and it will give you a short preview of what is written in the post.

Otherwise, you can always PM a moderator or administrator and ask them to review your post and then they'll edit it to add a trigger icon if needed.

I sometimes forget to put the trigger icon on--then later put a post apologizing for not putting on the trigger icon...

And I thought I was the only one . I had the same problem when I joined . I learned what they were though . The hard way .

A trigger is an icon (that looks kinda like a baseball) that folks put as an icon for the message heading of their thread. They put it on posts that they think may trigger (badly upset) any other members. So, if it has graphic talk about one particular subject in a forum where folks are going to that forum to try and fight that problem...it may trigger them and make it worse, hence warning folks with the trigger icon...like saying please don't read unless strong tonight.

Does that help or have I just confused you more?

And by the way...

a big warm welcome to PC