why people shouldn't joke about triggers

I'm not calling anyone out in this thread, so if you are offended by this, then you're calling yourself out. Also, this isn't just for MV, this is for the Internet as a whole, it's just easier to post here.

So to give some background info, here is the definition of a trigger:

A trigger in psychology is a stimulus such as a smell, sound, or sight that triggers feelings of trauma. ( http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychpedia/trigger )

So, for example, if a person with PTSD (such as a veteran or an assault victim) from a past TRAUMATIC event in their lives were to see or hear something that reminded them of that event, then they could sometimes have feelings of panic or extreme depression in that moment. And it can be very crippling and difficult to deal with.

When you joke about triggers, you invalidate these victims' actual life struggles and it wrongly teaches people that it is okay to joke about this. You may not realize this but this is a mental illness that people suffer from every day and I do not blame you if you joke about triggers without dealing with them or actually understanding what they are.

But to the people who still joke about them after reading something like this and make it seem like a fake thing that the Internet just made up: I'm sorry. I genuinely feel bad that there is a possibility that you could joke about something like this IRL to someone that survived trauma (most likely someone you love and care about) and has emotional triggers. They probably won't talk to you after that. You never know who is actually struggling without asking them. Anyone can have/develop triggers. Even the person reading this right now. And if something traumatic happens to you in the future and you develop emotional triggers, you won't be joking about it anymore.

Please watch this video for more information about triggers and PTSD :

Anyways, to save myself the energy later, here are the responses to the inevitable replies that this thread will have.

"It's just a joke."

It's not just a joke anymore. It's become normalized to joke about it. Using the word "trigger" casually in a sentence makes the word lose so much meaning. Honestly, how many people are still laughing at it?

"If you're so offended by a joke, get off the internet."

That won't happen. The Internet has become a necessity for everyone (excluding those in developing countries.) You try not using the Internet for a week and then come talk to me after that.

"You're tumblr trash who is oversensitive about everything."

I've personally dealt with triggers and PTSD even before I knew what Tumblr was. You can't just turn off an illness.

"This thread is stupid."

This is a rant thread and I am not breaking any rules by posting this.

"It has multiple meanings."

There is only one true meaning but people have made it seem less serious than it actually is. Any other definitions besides one similar to the one in this thread is from Urban Dictionary and shouldn't be taken seriously. Please don't justify the joke by saying this.

If at least one person is enlightened by this thread, then I won't care about all of the hate I get from this so please speak up.

Thanks for reading.

 

I agree y'all "triggered" people need to step off of your frikin pedestal !

 

I'm triggered

 

Ofc you didn't

 

I didn't actually know why everyone was saying "triggered" nor did I know what being triggered actually meant. The internet could take a page out of your book. Thanks for making this thread.

haha aren't you funny

 

Tbh I thought it meant that you were pissed off lmao

 

it has been used out of context so many times to the point where now people consider that a definition

 

Probably the reason why I thought that

 

I apologize for disrespecting. Sorry about what happened Pile. <3

 

It's all good. You didn't upset me.

 

Okay Pile, I will never say this I hate offending people, But thanks for the tip not to say this

 

ok i'll start used memed instead of triggered :(

 

Welcome to the internet.

People are still going to use such terms in a joking manner. They don't care. As I said, this is the Internet.

 

You gave me leukemia

 

That made me really sad. I feel so bad for your Mom, and I'm glad she's in a better place.

 

What a terrible way to lose your Mom. My condolences...

 

oh gosh ;-;

 

There was more outcry over Harambe than over the thousands of migrants that drowned in the Mediterranean, in the same week. But most people took Harambe and made him into the meme he is now.
The internet is such a wonderful place :t:

Of course there are more important necessities in developing countries, but the internet is still one.