How do you all handle potential triggers?

Books, movies, tv shows, etc have always been serious triggers for me. I’m currently reading a book that has a character who decides later in life (after marrying her husband and having a child) to leave him for a woman coworker. The book isn’t totally centered around this plot line, but it is a reoccurring topic. Any suggestions for how to keep reading this without falling down a rabbit hole? Beyond that, I’m enjoying the content so I don’t want to stop reading.

Username: oliviaolivia

Date posted: 61d ago

Books actually started my HOCD and i used to love to read but im currently taking a break because im too scared to start it

User type: Member advocate

Username: Danielle Carter

Date posted: 61d ago

Sounds like this would've been a trigger for me as well not too long ago. You're doing the right to continue to read it if it's a good book. In my personal experience, whenever I would run into intentional or unintentional triggers I would slowly start to imagine myself in these situations. I learned to replace "what if this is what I will do?" with "maybe this is what I will do" , allowing OCD and anxiety to be present but continuing to read a good book, or watch a good movie or even have a good time out! When we learn that intrusive thoughts don't mean factual thoughts, we start to WIN! I wish you the best and hope you finish the book!

Username: findingmytruth

Date posted: 61d ago

@ Thank you!!!

Username: Nica

Date posted: 61d ago

I keep going through and and don’t avoid it. Avoiding only makes it worse.