[Bethsway]

does anybody else here have trouble watching television shows that they used to watch? Lately all I can watch is Reba and Still standing...I used to watch scarey movies and csi but can't anymore because it gets me too scared...I am the only one or is there anyone else who is experiencing this problem?

Hiya, no you aren't the only one. I rarely watch anything anymore. So much TV is violent, scary, depressing.

I think you are taking good care of yourself by not watching/witnessing/eperiencing things that upset you.

[Calm]

I like the CSI shows mainly for the scientific aspect of them. I do have to look away at times during the autopsy parts. They can be gruesome. I like the Law and Order shows as well. I just find it so satisfying when the bad guys are caught and justice prevails. I only wish it was always like that in real life.

[Raynaadi]

I'm ok with tv shows, but I won't watch the news anymore. I have the Today show on the mornings, but I'm browsing the net and not paying attention. I flip the news off if it comes on. My grandma gives me a hard time, saying I should be up with current events....but I say, why? It depresses me and makes me sad and angry, so I chose to protect myself. I can watch the fake stuff, but not the news. Yuck.

[Maven]

I have no problem watching movie and TV gore and violence, because it's fake. Plus, I've watched it since I was a kid, so I'm used to it. There are a few exceptions--I'm squeamish watching things done to people's eyes, for instance--but in general, it doesn't bother me.

However, I find the world depressing and cruel. I wish I could stop all the undeserved pain, abuse and violence. It feels overwhelming. Even when I feel I know the answer, I can't do anything about it, usually because I'm not a judge, or mayor, or somebody with the necessary power. The older I've gotten, the more depressing the world's gotten. Of course, at least part of that is because I've learned more about the world, rather than the world getting worse. It may have, but most of it is that I didn't know what I know now.

[desperado]

I can't watch Law & Order: SVU. Too graphic.

Letterman is good, though.

[Rhapsody]

I think a lot of us go thru this type of FEAR and a lot of it is attached to our inner fear..... I watch what I can and I turn the channel when and if I need, even if it is in the middle of a show I was watching.

And.... and we all have our own personal reasons for having to change the channel - I know a lady that only watches the cartoon channels for to much scares her, even scary commercials are frightening to her.


LoVe,
Rhapsody - ((( hugs )))

[okiedokie]

Hi Beth,
I remember when I was hospitalized years ago that I was fearful of what I saw on TV. I remember wondering why that was! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Now I feel less strange! Once I got well TV no longer bothered me and it still doesn't today.
I wish you well,
Okie

[Blitzkrieg]

I saw the twin towers and then Columbine and that was the end of my TV. I don't own one.
deb

[Bethsway]

thank you for your replies...It makes me feel so much better to know I am not the only one...!

[Sabrina]

I used to be able to watch horror movies. I can't now. I get nightmares.

I am also easily triggered into anxiety by watching dramas involving a lot of death or losing loved ones etc.

[Raynaadi]

I'm definetly more into watching Comedy Central lately....but even right now on Comedy Central, they're doing a documentary on a comedian and his depressing life....hmmmm. Think I'll switch over to music videos, LOL.

[Sabrina]

Except that some music videos are just terrifying nowadays............

[Maven]

Maybe it would be better to confront your fears, and not let them put you into a smaller and smaller world. I know I'm not one to talk, but I'm just saying that would be the standard suggestion from therapists. Of course, you wouldn't just immerse yourself in violent TV and whatnot--that might work for some, but in general, you get someone to give you slightly more aggressive scenes than you're used to, until you can handle it. And no, it doesn't make you insensitive to real violence.

[moodyblu]

I feel you could be an H.S.P. or "Highly Sensitive Person".
Scary movies, loud noises, unpleasent odors or places, crowds, violence of any kind...etc.. should be avoided according to your degree of sensitivity. As an H.S.P. myself, I find the negativity of those factors and more can be extremely "draining" both physically and mentally. I suffered for years before I learned to adapt or avoid certain situations. Yes...a powerful mask is needed!
There is a great book...'The Highly Sensitive Person" by Elaine Aron that is absolutely a must if you wish to learn more about it. I think she has a site too.
Take care now and...pick and choose those movies!
Dan

[Bethsway]

Thank you Dan...I think I will get that book!!!

[Perna]

Bethsway, there's a workbook too for the book:

http://www.hsperson.com/

[50guy]

I rarely watch the news. I watch CNBC money stuff and some old cowboy movies. I quit watching Cops and AMW.
I have enough to be nervous about without adding to it.

I have been doing much better now, in my 4th week of meds. I feel a lot more calm.

guy

I think tv has become way too violent. They say that the violence doesn't influence people to be violent-which I think is pure B.S. because if what happens on television doesn't influence people then why do companies spend millions of dollars on commercials?
I don't watch tv much at all anymore. The only show I really enjoy is CSI Nevada.
I like Grisom.

[Maven]

It influences those sensitive to becoming violent. If you're predisposed to something, it doesn't mean you'll become what you're predisposed to being, but with the right influences, you're more likely to become that way. I've read and watched horror all my life. I'm not a violent person, in regards to my own actions. People have to take responsibility for their own actions, no matter what.

Advertisers know that certain images, sounds, colors, etc. affect how we view a product. But while you might see a delicious-looking burger for a fast-food chain and crave it, you make the decision on whether or not you eat it. You're responsible for your diet.

I don't totally agree with that but I'm not going to turn this into an argument.
I just want to stress one point-Gangster rap videos- extreme gun violence with african american kids-do you think there's a connection?

[SeptemberMorn]

I agree with you, Jax. Kids that play violent video games will carry out that violence in real life, too. They get desensititized and then the games are no longer fun so they take it to the ultimate step.

[Talulah]

Hi,

I go through periods where certain shows, or types of shows really affect me. It's good that you pay attention to that.
I used to be a real news hog, every channel, all day....got so depressing that I rarely watch any, even local news, can't do too much of that.

I like Law & order SVU even though it's sensitive for me, i also like the fantasy that the bad guys are caught in the end...so that outweighs the other stiff for me. To believe that resolution is given and that some amount of closure happens is a comfort for me when I cannot get any for myself..

[Maven]

I've watched violent horror, video games and thrillers all my life. I've never committed a violent crime. I know many horror fans who are great people and haven't committed crimes. Why are so many youths committing gun crimes who listen to rap? Because of the glamorization of it, and the ethics they're taught concerning it. It also has a lot to do with kids who don't get the right parenting. That's not to say all kids who get into gang culture don't have good parents, but even Bill Cosby has gotten involved with this issue. These kids become more predisposed to violence because they grow up around REAL violence.

Doctors have to become desensitized to disease, cancer, pain, suffering and death, but most still care a great deal about their patients.