Anxiety/panic from disturbing viewing

Hi A2045 and welcome!

I am sorry that you are dealing with this residual anxiety over the movie that you saw.

Those of us with anxiety can have seemingly easy triggers when it comes to what you are exposed to.

It could be that you were already stressed, and this movie was just one thing too many for your anxious mind to accomodate.

I used to love scary movies and could (and would) watch just about anything. Since I have had issues with anxiety and panic though...I have to be really careful with my input!

Now, if I am managing well and my symptoms are low, I can watch whatever I like. (nowhere what I used to...my Chainsaw Massacre days are over!) However, if I am struggling, or at a high stress point for whatever reason, I know that I need to be conservative in my choices.

You are not alone in this...we have had quite a few posts on this very subject.

Given time, you will start to relax about what you saw. In the meantime, try doing some of the relaxation exercises found in our Resource Guide here. The breathing and progressive muscle relaxation/meditation links are especially good.

Also try a positive mantra when you start to focus on the scary thoughts. Say to yourself:

"These thoughts about the movie are only caused by the disturbing memories of the things that I saw. It is only anxiety and can't hurt me."

Post with us anytime. I am sure that you will find much understanding and support here.:)

Scaredy Cat

I have been suffering from anxiety and panic since 2007.  One thing I noticed is that I can no longer watch disturbing, or suspenceful movies.  It is really upsetting to my husband because he loves them. 

I went to a therapist for my panic and anxiety for about a year and I mentioned it to him.  He said that some people, especially those suffering from this afflication, can easily be impacted by upsetting movies - even if fictional.  The mind is powerful and if you tip easily into anxiety or panic, even if it is not actually reality, it could happen by watching such things. 

I googled a lot about it, and it seems to be true.  Some people are just not wired to be able to watch certain things without having a physical or emotional reaction.

I stopped watching them.  I tell my husband that it is so upsetting that he can sit through and watch someone in a movie get tortured or beat up etc. Like, something is wrong or disturbing about him because he can watch them.

But I have to remember, he is just not wired like me.  Same with highway driving, makes me panic often.  I'm amazed at how he just thinks it's no big deal.  When you have triggers and others don't, it is weird to me.  It's like, hmmmm, I wonder how that person's nervous system is so different that they have so much control over their anxiety.  I'm also jealous .  After all, I prior to 2007 I didn't have it that badly at all, so it amazes me that the body and mind can make that kind of shift.

 

i agree with what others have said about just avoiding scary and suspenseful movies. i too have been affected where i think about the upsetting scenes for days or weeks. i was addicted to speed at one point in my life and made the mistake of watching "Winter's Bone". i felt so depressed afterwards and stayed depressed about it for days.

and as far as the thing about other people being wired differently, there are probably things that you can do that they can't.

i used to be teased about not watching horror movies, but over time i just shrug it off if people judge me for that. also i have saved a lot of time and money by avoiding them.