A very odd ptsd question (movies)

[ConfusedWife1234]

I know there is some here whose husband has ptsd. Which movies do you watch with your husband who has ptsd and does not like being triggered but loves watching movies. He loves funny movies most and I do like them okay too and unfortunately he likes watching the funny movies he likes over and over again while I want to watch something new.

I have PTSD and I would think it depends on what his triggers/trauma relate to - can you tell us, it might help with suggestions.

From military... but he also doesn‘t like to watch movies about “sad things happening“ in general. He loves funny movies most... or documentaries.

I have PTSD, that has been treated with some success but I still try to be gentle with myself around certain subjects.

One of the things I look for is something with a very stylised visual appearance. Because I am less likely to see it as “real” and so it’s less likely to trigger me. Wes Anderson is good for that.

I also try to get a rough idea what is going to happen so I don’t have any nasty surprises. For the same reason, I have a few things, comedy shows not movies, I can always watch if I am feeling low. It’s generally cheerful/safe things like Friends, the Middle, New Girl. But also works because I know them so well, there are no surprises, it’s like a safety blanket.

Also, kid’s films, good ones like Paddington. Because they tend not to be graphic and things made for kid’s often have a happy ending.

My husband tends to enjoy fantasy things a lot more because it’s not real.

Thank you, @Happygoodhairbear and @NotUmbongounchained

Both of us like fantasy movies too.

Can you give some examples of movies?

I'm fine with fantasy and superhero stuff. Most things with a clear 'this isn't real' indicator like magic, super powers, dinosaurs etc.

Matrix, cloud atlas, anything marvel, horror movies about werewolves and vampires.

We avoid anything with realistic violence, sexual abuse and child abuse.

Similar to NotUmbungo I avoid anything with a sexual element or realistic violence/gore.

So I it occurs to me that the things that are safe for me (Avengers, X-Men, Lord of the Rings, Star Trek/Wars) wouldn’t be safe for your husband, as they might be too similar to military situations.

So I’m a bit stumped and I don’t want to recommend something as safe when it might end up triggering him.

But what about romantic comedies? Or friendship movies, things like Bridesmaids, Girls Trip?

It depends what his triggers are.

For me, it’s not just things that graphically represents what happened to me, but also things that trigger the same feelings as what happened to me has left me with.

So seemingly innocuous things such as fairground rides taps into me not being in control or able to stop what’s happening to me.

It really depends on the individual.