TV Causing Anxiety

[hstroller]

Does anyone have any coping techniques for dealing with television programming that is depressing or causes anxiety? I’ve never had this issue before developing anxiety and depression this year, but now even fictional stuff is making me upset. It’s a real pain in the ass because my family wants to watch anything and everything and I often feel like I have to leave the room to go relax or do breathing excercises.

[Hidden]

Hello

I never watch anything I know that is going to upset or depress me there is no point

I would keep doing what you are doing and just take yourself away and do something else or maybe invest in a small TV you could have in your bedroom so you can watch what cheers you up

Take Care x

[hstroller in reply to Hidden]

This is a big issue with my partner because she doesn't want to watch things alone. We are having huge fights over this. She says it can't all be just about me all the time and I can see her point.

It's hard to explain to someone that hasn't gone through this, that you aren't just being childish and immature and that you understand intellectually what you are watching is just some silly television fiction, but it still triggers real emotions, sadness, and anxiety that I would rather avoid.

[Hidden in reply to hstroller]

In a relationship it is give and take

There must be mutual things you both enjoy watching ?

My husband and I do not like a lot of the same programs but we keep it simple he watches his I watch mine

We are all different and maybe this needs discussing and hopefully you can come to an agreement that suits you both x

[LylaRose]

Hi there yes this is familiar to me, there are many things on TV that make me very uneasy or depressed. When I'm in a bad patch it's loads of things! Maybe speak to your family to try and agree a compromise regarding what's on and when. As per lulu's advice, try and avoid things that you think will upset you.

To help cope I sometimes resort to books / novels that are a gentle distraction (not dark, scary, intense or miserable books) or reruns of harmless period dramas / things you've enjoyed before that aren't upsetting.

[hstroller in reply to LylaRose]

I am trying to do just that, finding harmless compromise things to watch. Part of me wonders whether avoiding items will just lead to avoiding more and more things. I don't want to withdraw from life. My anxiety often makes me "find the cloud in every silver lining."

I spoke to my therapist about this issue and he said, "So what's wrong with watching a tear jerker and being sad? If you want to be fully emotionally engaged in life, it's more than just trying to be happy all the time."

[LylaRose in reply to hstroller]

I find that during times when I am very low with depression or anxiety, I'm susceptible to being overly affected by TV content that I'd ordinarily be able to handle ok. Maybe instead of asking can you not watch something, you could both search for something that both of you want to watch? Maybe aim to agree on something with shared appeal? Also not every TV programme is expected to appeal to everyone. There are some (even some fairly innocuous) things that I can never watch no matter my mental state. They freak me wayyyy out even on good days. Everyone is different. Be gentle on yourself, I hope you feel better soon.

[osbo54]

Leave the room! Don't you have another room with a TV?

[hstroller in reply to osbo54]

I know I can leave the room. I have been doing that regularly and it is making my partner feel lonely, detached, and now hostile. She doesn't want to sit there watching TV alone and not having anyone to engage with. I just don't know whether I should avoid the programming that cause me anxiety or just sit through it head on to expose myself to it and confront it for her sake.

[osbo54 in reply to hstroller]

If your partner understood the extremes of anxiety, she would not want to put you through that. NO, you have to take care of you first. If you don't, you have nothing left to give your partner but an anxious mess. Can she not agree to watch something a little less anxiety/depression causing for you? Have a heart to heart. That does not always work, but give it a try. I would not put myself through that...watching these programs that exacerbate my condition. I have learned after struggling for years with anxiety, that I come first. It may sound selfish, but you only get this one life, and I refuse to spend it catering to someone else' agenda, especially when it hurts my health. And if you cannot function, what do you have left to give your loved ones? My family knows when I bow out of things, it is for my health. I am sure it gets aggravating for them at times, but they know it is best for all, in the end.

[Secret4706]

I feel the same I don't like watching anything scary or gory or emotional or depressing (I literally enjoy game shows and that's about it ha) I invested in a puzzle book so then I csnt get whinged at for leaving the room and try to focus on that x

[Nora-B]

I feel for you. One of the worst things I find are the constant Life Insurance ads. with all the fake smiles, telling you who you could leave your money to....I have had a letter to say I need to restart my TV licence. I am more inclined to do away with the tele..or only use it for dvds. I might get to read some of my books. X