My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

MNHQ have commented on this thread

AIBU?

"Trigger warning"

76 replies

OTheHugeManatee · 26/05/2015 15:18

AIBU to think this phrase is useless at best and at worst actively harmful?

I'm absolutely in favour of treating upsetting subjects sensitively when posting on the internet, for example by giving some thought before posting a thread with a disturbing title. But more and more I'm seeing this 'Trigger warning' appearing on MN and it properly gets my goat.

I believe the idea is to warn off people who have PTSD and might be triggered by the content into experiencing flashbacks or other distressing symptoms. But (I have a professional qualification in this area) just putting 'Trigger warning' on something that you think might be vaguely evocative of a traumatic experience doesn't actually do anything.

Two reasons. Firstly, the thing about PTSD is that actual PTSD triggers are hugely specific to individual traumatised people. Just speaking about a similar trauma won't necessarily be triggering, while an apparently innocuous smell, a noise, a texture or something else totally random could send someone into terrifying flashbacks.

Secondly, trying to avoid triggers actually makes PTSD worse. It's well established that the way to treat PTSD is with extremely careful, calibrated exposure therapy, handled by an expert clinician. So even if posting 'Trigger warning' was an effective way of signposting to traumatised people that there was content somewhere that they should avoid, doing so would be feeding into the vicious cycle of PTSD and actively helping to make their suffering worse.

So AIBU for asking people to just stop posting 'Trigger warning' on things? It might be well-meaning but it's of no real use to PTSD sufferers and IMHO its only function is as a way of signalling 'Morbid content lovers over here! I have some morbid content for you!'. If that's not what you're trying to do, why not just give some thought to posting sensitively and leave it at that?

OP posts:
manicinsomniac · 26/05/2015 15:21

I was surprised to see it here when I first joined as it was something I associated almost exclusively with (largely teenage) eating disorder/self harm type forums.

But now I see it has a range of uses and think it's better to have it than not, if there's a chance it could save someone upset.

StillStayingClassySanDiego · 26/05/2015 15:23

So AIBU for asking people to just stop posting 'Trigger warning' on things?

Well yes you are because not everyone will think the same way as you and they might think they're being helpful by issuing a warning..

Gottagetmoving · 26/05/2015 15:24

I think it is useless.

Seriouslyffs · 26/05/2015 15:25

It is at best harmless and could be extremely useful. I avoid trigger titles if I'm at work or have a child looking over my shoulder, I don't have PTSD or trauma past, but don't want to read about certain things in public.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 26/05/2015 15:25

YABU, Hugh, there was a thread here the other day, looked innocuous, just a general diet thread - and it wasn't, it was a pro-ana thread thinly veiled. I asked MNHQ to adjust the title and they did - and then deleted it.

There was another thread yesterday where somebody else suggested it should have 'trigger' warning but the thread was really clear so easily avoidable.

Some subjects can be truly triggering. If you don't understand why then I'm happy for you.

Bluetonic123 · 26/05/2015 15:26

I always find it a bit odd on a forum like this. I think that if a form is specifically about something (for example, eating disorders or abuse) then most of the members are likely to be triggered by similar things so I can see the merit. However, anyone can be triggered by anything, and as we don’t know what other people’s issues on here are it’s a bit pointless. I guess it doesn’t do harm though ..

NorbertDentressangle · 26/05/2015 15:27

OP your post seems to apply to those diagnosed with PTSD which is understandable as it's obviously your area of expertise.

What about people who have had upsetting/traumatic experiences (especially recently so are still feeling a bit fragile or easily upset) but wouldn't be classed as having PTSD .

For example someone who has had a recent miscarriage, termination or bereavement? They may want to avoid threads that discuss similar situations as it's still very raw for them.

RainbowFlutterby · 26/05/2015 15:29

I think the main problem is that it's become meaningless. People put "trigger warning" on anything and everything that someone somewhere might find upsetting, but with no reference to what it's about.

So if (for example) I find Situation A really upsetting I have no way of knowing if that "trigger warning" refers to Situation A, or B, or C... etc. Should I just not read half the threads in Active Convos just in case?

FenellaFellorick · 26/05/2015 15:31

the problem is that just posting 'trigger' tells you nothing about the content. Everything has the potential to 'trigger' someone. How can you possibly know from such titles as AIBU to hate this (trigger) - which you often see variations of - whether the thing that will be in the thread is something that you want to avoid or not.

So you need to know in the thread title what the thread actually contains. Simply putting 'trigger' is of no use. It covers everything.

And if you put in the thread title a clear indication of what the thread is about - you don't need 'trigger', because the content is clear from the title.

RainbowFlutterby · 26/05/2015 15:32

Norbert - part of the problem is too many threads started as "AIBU to be upset by this * trigger warning *" and I don't think that's helpful to anyone.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 26/05/2015 15:34

I agree with Rainbow that it's being completely misused so as to confuse and be meaningless.

It did used to apply just to eating disorders - and that was very clear. I think posters should keep it for that and nothing else really. It's inappropriate and losing impact for what it was intended for. Not that AIBU is really the place for ED 'chat'.

PterodactylTeaParty · 26/05/2015 15:36

Can be potentially useful, but just saying 'trigger warning' alone isn't much help. 'Trigger warning' by itself is effectively saying 'someone somewhere might find this subject matter very distressing' - it isn't giving people information about what lies ahead so they can avoid it or go in prepared, which is what many of us would appreciate.

DodgedAnAsbo · 26/05/2015 15:37

I agree. anyone using the word 'tiggering' should be done for a piece of the breech

fiveacres · 26/05/2015 15:37

I think it would be more helpful to indicate what the thread content is.

'This could be upsetting for those who have experienced rape' for instance.

There is a certain genre of thread I avoid and usually can tell what it is going to be about from the title. It's when people put 'AIBU to think this is wrong' and people subsequently click on it and it is about something horrific that it takes one by surprise.

In general I agree with Manatee. As per Smile

OTheHugeManatee · 26/05/2015 15:42

What about people who have had upsetting/traumatic experiences (especially recently so are still feeling a bit fragile or easily upset) but wouldn't be classed as having PTSD.

In that case I think talking about being 'triggered' cheapens the experience of people who have actual PTSD.

Please don't get from my posts that I'm unsympathetic to people who find that reading about subjects that resonate with their own upsetting experiences can stir up difficult feelings. I am a trained psychotherapist and have worked with some extremely traumatised people. I'm posting this because I know the difference between being 'triggered' and being reminded of something upsetting. The latter isn't the same as being 'triggered', it just isn't, and generalising the term to mean 'upset because it reminded me of something bad that happened to me' does PTSD sufferers no favours.

OP posts:
EponasWildDaughter · 26/05/2015 15:42

I think it should say ''warning - thread contains references to ... XYZ'', ie: rape, DV, animal cruelty, child abuse, eating disorders ... whatever.

''Triggering'' is a bit meaningless and could be anything!

RightSideOfWrong · 26/05/2015 15:45

I agree with Eponas.

Seriouslyffs · 26/05/2015 15:46

But how can it be harmful?Confused

MrsFrisbyMouse · 26/05/2015 15:47

It was a phrase that came from the early depths of the internet - in particular it was used on forums where abuse/self harm/eating disorders etc were discussed, and essentially acted as a signpost for users who were feeling particularly vulnerable. And it was really only used when people were essentially posting very graphic uncensored accounts of experiences etc.

I hate (and I don't use the word lightly) the current expansion of the phrase 'trigger warning' and its counterpart 'triggered' into the everyday vernacular. In particular I think it is unnecessary in general forums - the issue being that most things could be potentially upsetting someone - so where do you draw the line?

Being more descriptive in the original title would be more helpful.

Runningupthathill82 · 26/05/2015 15:48

YANBU. It's overused and has become meaningless.
And while most posters presumably use the phrase with good intentions, some threads read to me like the OP is being rather attention-seeking and wanting to add gravitas to their post.

OTheHugeManatee · 26/05/2015 15:50

Exactly - why not just be a bit more descriptive, or put a warning at the beginning of the OP?

IMO when people post thread titles like 'AIBU to think this is wrong - trigger warning' it's NOT so that people can avoid it. If they wanted to do that they'd be more specific about the upsetting content. Instead it's a not-so-subtle signal to any ghouls out there that the thread is about something prurient, horrifying or disturbing and so they should come flocking in to have a rubberneck.

OP posts:
OTheHugeManatee · 26/05/2015 15:56

Seriously I explained in my first post how it's harmful. Firstly it completely misunderstands how PTSD triggers work and what they are. Secondly, it propagates the idea that the best way to deal with PTSD is to avoid anything that might trigger symptoms. I might also add that thirdly, if it's not actually aimed at PTSD sufferers but more generally at people who might be upset by content that reminds them of their own difficult experiences, then it's misappropriating clinical language appropriate to describing PTSD symptoms and in the process cheapening the difficulties suffered by people with PTSD.

I feel the same irritation at it that I think some parents of children with ASD feel when they hear others describing a tearful episode or regular toddler tantrum as a 'meltdown'. Or that people with life-threatening allergies feel when they see people claiming to be allergic to x y or z when they just don't like it.

OP posts:

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

JeanneDeMontbaston · 26/05/2015 15:58

I do think content warnings are probably much more helpful.

But, for some reason 'trigger warning' seems the better known phrase, and if it's a choice between having that or nothing, I'd rather have it there. Yes, triggers are specific, but it means someone can get in touch and ask what the warning relates to, doesn't it?

I think it also depends on the context. On MN, yes, 'trigger warning' can get thrown around to mean 'this is a bit grim' (though I've used it myself so am probably guilty).

Samcro · 26/05/2015 15:59

"trigger" could be advoided a lot of the time if people just put stuff in right topic

JeanneDeMontbaston · 26/05/2015 15:59

Cross posted.

Secondly, it propagates the idea that the best way to deal with PTSD is to avoid anything that might trigger symptoms.

I don't completely agree it does this. I have noticed, more and more, people claiming that if they are 'triggered' they have to avoid something, and that's bad, I agree. But, until recently, I'd never come across that - I'd seen people use it as a warning to prepare themselves for exposure.

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.