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Trigger warnings
Trigger warnings
Comments
Submitted by NorthReport on September 5, 2016 - 10:02pm.
Submitted by MegB on September 6, 2016 - 10:52am.
I'm of two minds on the topic. On the one hand it's important to be sensitive to some of the triggers people experience. On the other hand, such people need to learn coping mechanisms that help them navigate a complex and not entirely friendly world.
Submitted by 6079_Smith_W on September 6, 2016 - 11:09am.
We had a good conversation about this on FB last week, and I was surprised to hear two friends who had suffered serious trauma, and know more about it than anyone I know, come out dead against them (or at least against their gratuitous use). I expect part of the problem is that some on both side of the argument don't understand what they really are.
Here's the article which started the conversation:
http://www.salon.com/2015/10/28/i_wanted_to_be_a_supporter_of_survivors_...
And an interesting perspective, posted by a friend:
Quote:
"I don’t know about trigger warnings outside classes that deal with race, gender and sexuality, but I do know that if you promote trigger warnings in subjects that are supposed to make people feel uncomfortable, you’re basically promoting a culture of extreme privilege, cause I’m pretty sure that the trans women who are being murdered weekly, the black men who are victims of police brutality daily, and the neighborhoods in America that are plagued by everyday violence, aren’t given any trigger warnings. Let’s be honest: life is a trigger."
Rani Neutill
Personally, I don't see a problem with a general warning that some material might be challenging (not the same as a trigger warning), and in fact those warnings are usually there for those who want to look for them. Question is, how far can one be expected to go with it in a very public forum, especialy a university?
Submitted by Timebandit on September 6, 2016 - 12:36pm.
I had a conversation about this with my daughter the other day. She's in her second year of university and has PTSD (long story). Her take was that you need to be responsible for yourself, in that if you have triggers and you think there's a reason they may come into play in a class, you should let your prof know. I think she would also approve of Smith's idea of notice, but she ascribes to MegB's point of view - she doesn't want to be treated as someone less capable.
Submitted by 6079_Smith_W on September 6, 2016 - 12:59pm.
Yup, and I don't think the two are mutually exclusive. One can be sensitive without being condescending. As for those in this just to play cop, I think that is an entirely different dynamic, and virtually all the problem.
One thing that conversation made me remember was coming into Berlin one New Years day and seeing fireworks casings so thick they were drifting in the streets. Interesting, considering how many shellshocked people were still living in that city at the time.
though of course now we have FB articles about this, long after it will do any good for humans suffering from war trauma:
http://dogtime.com/trending/33475-town-italy-switches-silent-fireworks-r...
Submitted by bagkitty on September 6, 2016 - 1:46pm.
6079_Smith_W wrote:
[...]
though of course now we have FB articles about this, long after it will do any good for humans suffering from war trauma:
[...]
@Smith, you might want to jump in and do a little editing, unless universal peace has broken out and no-one, anywhere, is lobbing things that go boom at other people. Maybe play with the tenses.
Submitted by 6079_Smith_W on September 6, 2016 - 2:01pm.
Yeah, I was thinking of that.
It was more that if it wasn't an issue in the wake of the big one when those cities were themselves war zones (hard to forget given how many bullet holes are still EVERYWHERE) the fact that there are survivors of more recent conflicts is a slightly less galling consideration given that this this issue was raised by those who are concerned for pets.
Submitted by Mr. Magoo on September 6, 2016 - 4:51pm.
I think that to some degree, so long as you're not posting graphic photos of carnage, or lurid descriptions of assaults or rapes or murders or torture, you're *probably* not in need of a special trigger warning.
Sure, there could be someone with coulrophobia in your audience, but unless you're posting at NoMoreClowns.org, how would you know to use one anyway?
Submitted by NorthReport on September 6, 2016 - 5:03pm.
So am I MegB.
You have summed up my point of view on this subject as well.
Submitted by quizzical on September 6, 2016 - 9:21pm.
MegB wrote:
I'm of two minds on the topic. On the one hand it's important to be sensitive to some of the triggers people experience. On the other hand, such people need to learn coping mechanisms that help them navigate a complex and not entirely friendly world.
"such people"????????? could you somehow explain what you mean by this other than othering?
mightyniceofyou to lump everyone together and tell them what they need to do. i try not to. doesn't seem to work too well usually just makes ppeople suffering ptsd feel worse internally.
Submitted by Caissa on September 7, 2016 - 7:52am.
Recently in the news because of a letter from the Dean of Students at the University of Chicago.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/style/2016/09/06/even-trigger-warn...
Submitted by MegB on September 7, 2016 - 1:36pm.
quizzical wrote:
I am such people.MegB wrote:I'm of two minds on the topic. On the one hand it's important to be sensitive to some of the triggers people experience. On the other hand, such people need to learn coping mechanisms that help them navigate a complex and not entirely friendly world."such people"????????? could you somehow explain what you mean by this other than othering?
mightyniceofyou to lump everyone together and tell them what they need to do. i try not to. doesn't seem to work too well usually just makes ppeople suffering ptsd feel worse internally.
Submitted by Webgear on September 7, 2016 - 6:54pm.
I find it is the simple events in life that triggers my past experiences. I find barbequing meat makes me think about Afghanistan however laughing kids remind me of Bosnia.
Submitted by Webgear on September 7, 2016 - 8:11pm.
I spent a few hours last night talking to a friend about PSTD and triggers. We also talked about solutions to triggers.
Submitted by Webgear on September 8, 2016 - 6:09pm.
I was wondering how people deal with thier triggers?
Submitted by quizzical on September 8, 2016 - 6:15pm.
my mom got relief from EMDR practicioner
Submitted by NorthReport on September 8, 2016 - 7:06pm.
Excellent question Webgear.
The bulk of the work is up to the individual involved so work on yourself, but sometimes it's helpful to have assistance, a good listener perhaps.
Not everyone is surrounded by healthy family. Being in a support group can do wonders depending on the makeup of the group and what you yourself are prepared to share. But support groups should not replace therapy.
Webgear wrote:
I was wondering how people deal with thier triggers?
Submitted by Timebandit on September 8, 2016 - 9:04pm.
Webgear wrote:
My daughter has done some EMDR, and some desensitization. My own PTSD was milder and I was able to use cognitive behavioural therapy. It takes time no matter what method. Finding a counsellor who has some specialization in trauma is really important. I was wondering how people deal with thier triggers?
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