Anxiety attack watching a movie

I do have this same problem.  I cannot watch anything suspenseful, violent, or disturbing at all.  I get terrible anxiety.  My husband doesn't get it.  Actually, I always say to him "I can't understand how anyone can get enjoyment out of watching someone get hurt."  He watched Saw.  I mean really, why??  He said it is because he knows it's not real, he can dissociate his emotions. 

A while back I went to a therapist for my anxiety.  I really did not want the stigma of going to one, and I tried about 5 for brief periods of time in my life until I find the one I found.  He was good.  He himself recovered from panic and anxiety. 

I told him about this movie issue, and how a scary movie, or an upsetting movie can make me so anxious that my skin crawls and I physically feel it (twisted gut etc.)  He said he cannot watch them either, and that it is a common trait in people prone to anxiety. 

I can't watch those commercials that show abused animals, I quickly tell my husband "turn the channel, turn it, turn it now."  He would toy with me at first, but realized they really worked me up.  I think it's just being senstive, or overly empathetic toward people or animals being hurt.  Even in movies when it is not real, some people, like us, just cannot remove ourselves from simply knowing its not really happening.  The mere idea of that being enjoyable to others is lost on me.

Hi Wifey and welcome!

Yes, those of us with anxiety have to watch out input and triggers for sure!

Depending on my level of anxiety at any given time...I have to judge what is okay for me to view.

Sometimes, I can watch just about anything that I like, but other times, I am very selective because I know that my overall stress levels won't tolerate anything intense.

Have you considered getting any help to deal with the trauma of your abusive relationship? PTSD can be the result of going through violence, making us sensitive to anything similar in nature.

Not wanting to view movies/shows with violent scenes is natural, and probably a good thing anyway...but if you feel that your anxiety is affecting more than this...for example, your overall quality of life, then getting help is essential.

For now, I invite you to visit our Resources here for great anxiety management ideas...and to keep posting if you find it helpful.

We care, understand, and are here to support anytime.:)

Scaredy Cat

OMG, I'm totally the same way with the animal commercials. But the irrational thing is that I cannot even watch cartoons with animals in them (ie: Lion King!) My Husband knows by now that the instant that first picture comes on the screen to change the channel. NOW! Not in 20 seconds. It's not funny, or amusing, it's not even jesting. It can send me downright into spirals!

On the other hand, I enjoy medical documentaries, and I'll admit, I've seen all the SAW movies....

I think that those of us with anxiety, as Kitt pointed out, have specific triggers. They are unique to each of us.

We can avoid them, I suppose. Then there's exposure therapy (or whatever it's called, when you're slowly exposed to things that make you uncomfortable or have a phobia about?) Ultimately, I think it boils down to if we have a vested interest or need to expose ourselves.

After all, how often are you going to see a scary movie? Chances are, you can get up and walk out.

If you were afraid of butterflies or vacuum cleaners,....then you might have a stronger case for learning to overcome that fear! :)








M.

Alot of my friends know i LOVE a good scary movie, like paranormal activity, incsidious, freddy, chucky, but i nearly had a heart attack watching Silent House. The little description it listed did not say anything about "beatings", it was going good till the end when she got beat with a belt across her back. Thats exactly how i got beat by my ex. Anyways, when that happend i got extremly shaky, my heart was racing, i felt light headed, and very nauseous, and the sound of the belt hitting her back was excruciating to hear, i wanted to cry but i didnt.
I have tried to force myself to listen or watch but i cant. I get tense nd my body tightens. I just want it to stop.

Merrida,
U hit the nail right on the head. I am embarrassed. The reason for that is cause my ex is a female and shes younger than me. She was extremely controlling and i didnt recognize the red flags going up. The flashbacks, the nightmares, the panic attacks, it can happen at the drop of a dime. To be honest, i cant even look at belts at the store. I HAD to buy one a few months back nd i felt like i wanted to throw up. Im terrified to see a therapist. And i have read about symptoms for PTSD and it describes me. :( Im scared. I feel like im alone. Im also very good at hiding my emotions. Is that bad??

Hello Wifey! This is some years later since your original post. I made an account specifically to tell you that this thread has helped me realise that I suffer from PTSD.

I thank all those who have shared so openly. There are certainly countless others who benefited. I will share some of my anxiety triggers, in hope it may help someone else.

Just a disclaimer that this is about rape. It was my first boyfriend, first love.

TRIGGERS:
* Rape scenes in movies, or even books - When alone, I skip the scene or even stop the film. If i'm with others, i will try leave the room and hope they don't offer to pause it. I feel incredible victim shame at this point. Sometimes, I feel too embarrassed to leave and bring attention to myself, so i freeze and essentially reexperience it. After the scene, I will always experience symptoms of anxiety for hours. And the memory of my rape will be fresh in my mind for days.
* Smells – his cologne/perfume. I get panicky and fear that I may accidentally coming across him again.
*Conversation topics about rape - i was and still am very passionate about discussing sex and rape. In my view we do not talk enough / educate enough about sex (and rape) which means young people are more susceptible to rape / sexual abuse, especially from people they trust and love
*Jokes about rape / light use of word rape - this always irritated me but only after my rape did i have anxiety feelings. This makes it difficult for me to debate in a balanced and rational way (on how it is not OK to make those jokes). I often become extremely flustered and panicky
*Key words – rape, anal. I get very tense, my breath is shaky, i redden in the face and have to swallow more saliva than usual. Even if it is a passing word.
* Sex - almost like a flashback feeling. I have had functional sexual relationships since my rape, but at some moments, I get a sensation of being transported back. It can be the words used, where my partner touches me, or what position i'm in. Evidently this shocks me and i close up entirely, withdrawing from the moment. I end sex abruptly and have anxiety symptoms. Only recently have I felt comfortable explaining to my partners what it is.

Wifey you are right that this is not talked about enough. I think the silence around PTSD of all kinds only worstens the victim shame felt.

Hoping that all visitors to this thread can find the help they need, and feel confident to get professional help. I have and it helps.

Hi I am Ace.
I was searching for self help portals for fear and anxiety due to mainstream movies and series and stumbled here. Whenever I watch a movie or series with voilent scenes like sword or gun fight or zombie mass slaughter or even apocalypse its fine cause its just fiction. But scene with betrayal, infidelity and abuse make me extremely uncomfortable. Its like i can hear my own heartbeat racing hoping it to stop and fear crawling in me. I feel disturbed for a quite some time afterwards. Usually I fast forward almost all the time but while watching in a group it make me feel queasy and nauseous.
I am getting arranged married in 10 months and I m well settled, have a good family and friend circle good job and yet I have the worst fear of betrayal even though I know i would do anything and everything for my future wife's happiness and its all just in my mind but still todays mainstream has rotten the core values of love and family in peoples minds and now society does not feel empathy towards infidelity. I mean if you are unhappy atleast try to talk make things work out, do councelling or just end it swiftly before having an affair.
I guess thats it just wanted to take a load off my mind. Thanks for listening.