Posted by JadeKelly on February 8, 2009, at 1:41:28
In reply to Re: **mutiple triggers** - being cautious » garnet71, posted by Larry Hoover on February 7, 2009, at 9:43:49
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> Yes, a trigger warning may still be appropriate.
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> One can speak of e.g. suicidal thoughts in an abstract or non-specific manner. One can ask for help without providing any details at all. In contrast, discussions of methods or cirumstances or consequences or whatever, by their capacity to induce imagery or emotion can bring about profound physiological/psychotraumatic responses. The response is involuntary.
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> The trigger warning gives more appropriate warning than a less concise subject line offers. As a person subject to a number of triggering stimuli, I can say that being surprised by content leaves me totally vulnerable to that involuntary reaction. In contrast, with foreknowledge via a trigger notation, I can adopt a protective state of mind that will later allow me to read what might have been a triggering message without suffering that huge response. In exercising that choice, I account for my own resiliency at that moment, my internal cognitions, my willingness to enter a risky situation, and so on. I choose. And I am able to choose because I have been afforded an opportunity to make the choice. And most important for me, when I can exercise that choice for myself, I believe I can reduce my future sensitivity to triggering stimuli.
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> So, "suicidal" in a subject line may or may not speak for itself. In this case, the determination is in a gray area. Other situations are far less gray. The trigger warning tends towards black and white, and I appreciate all who consider that issue, to diminish the element of surprise.
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> LarLarry,
I think your post covers this subject very well. It is quite easy to post the word trigger, and could save unecessary emotional trauma for someone else.
If someone posts SUICIDE as their subject line on a board, I have come across this 3 times, they are not going to post **trigger**. They are not thinking about anything other than I need to talk-NOW.
I haven't yet run across this but I'm sure there are people who think about suicide but simply want to talk about it, I geuss trigger along with that subject line would be appropriate.
This has been very enlightening to me in that every day joking even can be devasting for someone else to run across. Not to mention the description of real traumas experienced by real people.
In addition, simple jokes, sayings, etc. maybe rethought when a poster realizes he/she needs to add trigger to his/her post.
While there is the point that this is a "psych" forum, all the more reason to be careful as there are fragile people here and they need to feel safe.
Thank you for your insight, I have learned a lot from this dialogue.
~Jade
poster:JadeKelly
thread:877474
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20090116/msgs/878859.html