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Original poster

To find watching programmes like this difficult

49 replies

Ffs555 · 15/10/2023 20:17

The Reckoning, the Jimmy Saville story played by Steve Coogan. No disrespect at all to Steve Coogan, he's a fantastic actor.
I just find things like this really hard to watch. I also found the recent story of the zoophile who abused and tortured hundreds of dogs (Adam something) incredibly sickening.
It fills me with anxiety to think that people like this actually exist who want to abuse others, especially children, animals and the deceased.
It just scares me that these people walk among us and it makes me wonder if they were born this way, could it happen to someone we know, could it happen to us?
I don't know how to stop finding these shows/news articles so disturbing. I had to turn the Saville documentary off. Not sure if it's an overreaction?

OP posts:
Original poster
Ffs555 · 15/10/2023 20:18

I do suffer with anxiety and OCD intrusive thoughts so it probably doesn't help.

OP posts:
MidnightOnceMore · 15/10/2023 20:21

At risk of bring blunt, why on earth are you inflicting upsetting programmes on yourself when you have these mental health conditions?

Find something healthy and positive to watch.

SkyFullofStars1975 · 15/10/2023 20:21

I watched this today as I'm unwell and wanted something to binge watch... it was very unsettling, and I still don't understand how on earth he got away with it. But I'm glad it was made because we have to learn from it... otherwise men like this can hide in the shadows forever.

I think you'd have to have a heart of stone not to be upset by it, tbh.

Original poster
Ffs555 · 15/10/2023 20:22

I don't know tbh, I won't be watching again anyway. I've chosen something happier on netflix.

OP posts:
NigelHarmansNewWife · 15/10/2023 20:22

I think it's important to realise these creeps walk among us. If something seems off, it may well be. What Savile did was horrific. Take comfort from the fact you find it so difficult to watch - you are very, very far removed from being like that yourself.

goingtotown · 15/10/2023 20:22

I won't be watching it.

AnneLovesGilbert · 15/10/2023 20:23

I don’t have anxiety of OCD but never ever watch stuff like this. I don’t want it left in my mind, I dream vividly and don’t need to give my subconscious horrible material.

Just self censor. You’d have known both of those programmes would be horrifying, you have a responsibility to yourself not to watch them.

There has never been more variety to watch, find anything else!

CharlotteStreetW1 · 15/10/2023 20:23

I think we're all finding it uncomfortable viewing. DH wants to watch it or I wouldn't inflict it on myself.

Original poster
Ffs555 · 15/10/2023 20:23

I think it scares me what people are capable of. Tbh, I've started walking past men in the street and wondering if they're capable of abusing or harming someone. It's frightening and I don't know how to stop.

OP posts:
Goodmirror · 15/10/2023 20:24

AnneLovesGilbert · 15/10/2023 20:23

I don’t have anxiety of OCD but never ever watch stuff like this. I don’t want it left in my mind, I dream vividly and don’t need to give my subconscious horrible material.

Just self censor. You’d have known both of those programmes would be horrifying, you have a responsibility to yourself not to watch them.

There has never been more variety to watch, find anything else!

Edited

Me neither, it would play on my mind for ages

AnneLovesGilbert · 15/10/2023 20:31

Are you getting professional help with coping strategies?

You know you’re meant to find upsetting content upsetting, that’s the point. Some people find it worth it, some people actively enjoy graphic horror films which I’ll never understand. But tbh I think it’s usually obvious what sort of films or shows will be like, a quick google or look on IMDb will show you if you’re not sure. Don’t choose to expose yourself to it.

I’m a huge news junky and radio addict but after a few days of reading and listening to more coverage of recent events than I could handle I’ve switched it off and have been listening to music instead.

Suffering from consuming things you don’t have to isn’t helpful to you or the subjects of the content. We all know what Saville did. You don’t owe it his victims to relive it. You only owe it to yourself to limit the negative and focus on the gentle, uplifting, beautiful, positive, affirming.

Original poster
Ffs555 · 15/10/2023 20:33

Thank you, I've recently started SSRIs and I will be starting therapy soon.
I am rubbish with horror films too, it'll be on my mind for weeks afterwards and I'll have to sleep with the light on.
Yes, the recently coverage has been incredibly distressing too.

OP posts:
Alltheyearround · 15/10/2023 20:47

OP I have chosen not to watch it. I know what Saville did, I really don't need to watch it reenacted, and like you I find these bad things often play on my mind.

Rest assured there are so many good-hearted, kind people (men and women) quietly doing good in the world for no praise at all.

They rarely get shouted about but they are there.

Don't let the minority of bad people overshadow all of the light.

Most people are just normal, they feed the cat, remember to put the bins out, remind their kids to brush their teeth, go to work (many helping others in schools, hospitals etc) and do untold millions of acts of care and kindness day in day out.

There is so much love in this world, but it is often quietly spoken. You just have to listen in carefully to hear it.

I suggest a nature documentary or travel programme maybe with food.

A good old marvel at the wonders of the world always makes me feel more positive.

Alltheyearround · 15/10/2023 20:53

Ps. I also wonder about men in the street. Especially with the amount of things like child porn and exploitation. However, I consciously have to stop my mind wandering down that road, as it is not good for me to live all the time with those thoughts, I have no idea who is good and who is bad. There is nowt I can do, apart from what's within my power - educate DS, make displays at work (work in a college), and contribute thoughts on MN : )

You could support a charity like NSPCC if that helps? Sometimes feeling as if you're part of the solution can be useful rather than just mulling about stuff.

HunterHearstHelmsley · 15/10/2023 20:58

I struggle with some of these too.

I always say it's a good thing that it shocks us and we can't understand their behaviour. Being shocked by it shows that most people are good. Being unable to understand means we're not capable of it.

Original poster
Ffs555 · 15/10/2023 20:59

Thank you, you've all helped me.

OP posts:
tiredofbeingadmired · 15/10/2023 20:59

I really make an effort to protect my mental health by not watching dark content. I do stay informed about the war and other horrible stories - I can read things and find that easier. Just don't put yourself through it I reckon.

girlfriend44 · 15/10/2023 21:00

Don't watch it's not compulsory Can't understand people who are obsessed with watching misery and heartache.
They then say they enjoyed it weird.

Put some music on or a comedy and enjoy yourself.

Forget all these horrible Bastards who've murdered people and abused people etc. Not worthy of your thoughts.

BigFatLiar · 15/10/2023 21:03

It would upset us, DH is a big softy and I'm not much better. Simple solution, we don't watch these sort of programmes. OH watches very little current affairs, I watch on my own if I'm interested.

If you find it upsetting, don't watch.

contactme · 15/10/2023 21:06

I mean, it’s important that these shows make the viewer feel uncomfortable. They don’t want to make viewers think the crime is acceptable by underplaying, nor create copy-cat offenders

However as a viewer, you have the wherewithal to put something else on. Especially when it’s on-demand content. There’s loads of things I don’t like watching…so I don’t force myself to power through

SquishingWell · 15/10/2023 21:07

I have OCD in the form of mostly intrusive thoughts but no visible rituals, really only mental ones (“pure O” some like to call it) and I think this isn’t doing you any good.

I am at a place now where I can watch these things and be ok, mostly, but sometimes when I know I’m not going through a great patch I avoid the news, dark content on TV etc… I find it really helps.

the best advice I ever had from a therapist was when you get an intrusive thought to tell yourself “it’s just a thought not a fact” … for me it really works and takes the power out of scary thoughts.

& FWIW these things are supposed to be shocking so it’s not just you!

hope things go well for you OP 💙💙

WavyLines11 · 15/10/2023 21:08

I agree op and I've learnt to be more selective about what I watch now. I like some factual/documentary programmes but I try and screen out any that I think will be too upsetting to watch or will play on my mind too much.

SquishingWell · 15/10/2023 21:09

I always find Dinnerladies a good antidote!

toadasoda · 15/10/2023 21:12

I found it too upsetting to watch or read the news for years. I have massive embarrassing gaps in my general knowledge. I don't mind so much now. I didn't find that particular show difficult though for whatever reason, I do find the whole Savile thing fascinating. I never experienced anything like that thank god so its not triggering.

Anything involving people going missing or children getting lost terrifies me. I watched Missing with James Nesbitt and never got over it.

Alltheyearround · 15/10/2023 21:12

Victoria Wood was a force for good!

She knew the power of laughter - the best free medicine.