Read on Twitter
friendly reminder that:
・tw // is for actual triggers that set off psychological reactions
・cw // is a general tag for things that make people uncomfortable / content people don't want to see
・// on its own is for either but most commonly just regards a cw
・tw // is for actual triggers that set off psychological reactions
・cw // is a general tag for things that make people uncomfortable / content people don't want to see
・// on its own is for either but most commonly just regards a cw
Honestly? "tw // trigger warning" shouldn't be used for everything. It's specifically for things that actually set off PTSD or psychological responses etc, hence the word "trigger" and people using it for things which aren't like this, is what makes people not take it seriously.
While most triggers are more common, please remember that it's not universal and some people have different triggers that set them off (ex. imagery of specific items) and if that's the case, then you should use tw.
However, for things that don't set off PTSD responses.. use cw.
However, for things that don't set off PTSD responses.. use cw.
I try my best to tag for people as appropriate and there's nothing wrong with asking people to tag certain content; it's normal and any decent mutual will respect it!
Using tags is good because this just means anyone who mutes the term in their setting, will not have to see it.
Using tags is good because this just means anyone who mutes the term in their setting, will not have to see it.
The word trigger in this sense just means to set off an involuntary psychological response to something that induces traumatic memories.
It's important to remember the difference, because using tw for something that isn't a trigger hurts people more than it helps.
It's important to remember the difference, because using tw for something that isn't a trigger hurts people more than it helps.
Using a tw for something that should be a cw is an easy mistake to make, and it's fair if you're unaware, but unfortunately this is what people who think negatively of them and shame people for using trigger warnings, use as their ammunition. We need to stop giving it to them...
At the end of the day, it's more about knowing the difference between:
"I don't like this / it makes me uncomfortable"
and
"Seeing this sets off my anxiety or other disorder / makes me panic / I'm going to relapse"
Both are valid, but one is more severe than the other.
"I don't like this / it makes me uncomfortable"
and
"Seeing this sets off my anxiety or other disorder / makes me panic / I'm going to relapse"
Both are valid, but one is more severe than the other.
Anyway I'm sorry to tweet this, but I saw people mocking less common trigger warnings again and it pissed me off. But before people will be more open minded on this, we need to realise the difference ourselves so that they don't shame us for every little thing we do.
There's nothing wrong with people wanting to not have a mental breakdown OR just avoid certain content and people need to stop treating it like it is.
Of course the real world is different and you can't hide, but online communities are important support bubbles for people.
Of course the real world is different and you can't hide, but online communities are important support bubbles for people.
*just to clarify for tweet 3, i shouldn't have put just PTSD responses.... i meant to put psychological responses, because it isn't just memories of trauma it can induce
Just to further add: this isn't about asking people to "justify" or explain your triggers. If it's a trigger, it's a trigger, and nobody should question it. This is about asking yourself if it's something you just want filtered, or if it's something triggering.
A great point that slipped my mind - physical triggers, please take note!! https://twitter.com/starssappho/status/1332529681141207043
