Triggering Books?

[User4rmKy]

So, I've noticed that there are several self-harm books out there (such as "Cut"). My question is this: are books like this triggering? Also, should there be more like it or should the topic of self-injury be avoided?

[ackmedsgirl666]

i think these kind of books should be avoided from being published unless they are self help or advice books. also books like the series crank and glass should be avoided cuz they have to do with drug or sex addiction and it can be triggering and very hard for some ppl who are just getting over drug problems

[EarthToBryan]

While it is true that these things can be a trigger, you have the power not to read/watch it. No one is forcing you to read these books. Sometimes it is reassuring to read about someone who is like you and has the same problems, I know it makes me feel a little less alone. Also, many of these books can raise awareness of problems. Avoiding talking about a real life problem or, god forbid, censoring what can and can't be published is not going to help anything, and might even push a problem deeper underground. Society needs to look it's problems in the eye, not bury it and hope it resolves itself. I think we need more, not less, books dealing with societal issues, and if it will cause you to relapse or trigger then DON'T READ IT, for god's sake, use your common sense.
*edit* However, books and movies that glamorize these problems help no one.

[Forest Rose]

It depends on the person. Some people may find the books triggering while other people might find that it doesn't affect them that much at all. I've read some books about self-harm and personally I can cope with reading them- they don't really trigger me any further, although maybe if I was trying to stop they possibly would.

I don't think the subjects should be avoided at all, I think there should be more on them. Though only if they provide realistic information about the problems without glamorizing them or being too graphic. They are already too many misunderstandings.

If you feel like the books might trigger you, it's best to avoid them, but I'd recomment them if you feel like you can cope with the possible trigger.

[georgiamay]

Personally, I don't find pictures or books that involve self harm triggering, I only want to self harm if I'm anxious or angry etc.

I think if a person is easily triggered, then maybe they shouldn't read these sorts of books, but I certainly don't think that they should be avoided from being published. We can't censor everything, if you don't want to read it, then don't read it; it's that simple. Things like mental health, addictions and self harm are taboo subjects at the moment, so maybe if people read books from the perspective of someone with these sorts of problems could help them understand.
They might trigger some people, but the could quite easily just put the book down, or just not read it at all.

[ShatteredWings]

I actually find books like that calming.

[sarah newman]

i think these kind of books should be avoided from being published unless they are self help or advice books. also books like the series crank and glass should be avoided cuz they have to do with drug or sex addiction and it can be triggering and very hard for some ppl who are just getting over drug problems

I agree with this.
If you find them triggering, try and avoid them. I know it is hard if they are in front of you but if they are then just walk away.
And also, your not the only one, I find pictures on books, on YouTube, or on the Internet, anywhere really, very triggering. I have to avoid them or I will cut. Simple as that.
So yes I think unless they are help and advice they should be avoided.

[love is louder]

i have read cut and i didnt find it triggering. but most things i dont find triggering. people write books like that out of passion for the subject or as Memoirs it is an expression of them selves and its not up to us to tell them what they can and cant write about. yes it can effect some people in a bad way but its personal choice to stop reading/watching it.
- just my opinion

[Magenta]

I've read books like Cut, Willow, The Luckiest Girl in the World, etc... If there's a book about cutting, I've read it. I'm triggered easily but when I'm in a dark place, I like knowing I'm not alone. To see it published reminds me that I'm not a walking taboo anymore.

[Syvelocin]

i think these kind of books should be avoided from being published unless they are self help or advice books. also books like the series crank and glass should be avoided cuz they have to do with drug or sex addiction and it can be triggering and very hard for some ppl who are just getting over drug problems

I don't wish to turn this into a ROTW thread, but hell no. Censorship is what we should be avoiding. Sex, drugs, self-harm, it's all so taboo BECAUSE of censorship. If there were more books like this in the world, if we talked about it more, it would be seen in a much better light (I don't mean seeing it as a good thing, just not how it's looked at now, an attention-seeking action or something only psychos do). Leaving it in the dark is what has created this monstrosity. Avoiding the topic just leads to MORE teenagers self-harming. It's the same with the whole sex thing. Parents don't talk to their kids about it, leading them to have unprotected sex and next thing they know, they have a pregnant teen. All of this stuff should be discussed thoroughly.

For my actual response, I'm not easily triggered. Good thing too, since I have to read all the psych ward posts everyday. :P But pictures, poems, books, none of that triggers me. I like reading books that have to do with psych stuff. I have a collection of them. If this stuff triggers you, it is your responsibility to keep away from it. Not the creator of a website, book, poem, etc. Art should not be subject to censorship just because some people can't take it. They can write whatever they want to.

[MadManWithaBox]

Where would I be looking for 'Cut' in a book shop?

[Syvelocin]

Young Adult section most likely, Patricia McCormick is the author.

[Magenta]

Matt, I believe it would be in Young Adult Fiction or Teen Fiction. It's by Patricia McCormack, is it not? (Rith, do you know?)

EDIT: I posted a second too late. Pffffft. Apparently Rith did know. xD

[love is louder]

Where would I be looking for 'Cut' in a book shop?

think i bought it of amazon for less than a pound

[georgiamay]

Where would I be looking for 'Cut' in a book shop?

I went into waterstones with a list of books related to mental health and self harm etc, and I couldn't find any of them. I asked at the till, and they only had one, and they were out of stock >.< Apparently they only order one copy every few months. :P
I'm planning on getting them from amazon during the holidays.

[Magenta]

I went into waterstones with a list of books related to mental health and self harm etc, and I couldn't find any of them. I asked at the till, and they only had one, and they were out of stock >.< Apparently they only order one copy every few months. :P
I'm planning on getting them from amazon during the holidays.

Yeah, some books about mental health are pretty obscure. There's a few I can't find in the library or any bookstore around me. It's a pain.

[MadManWithaBox]

Thanks guy. Amazon it is then :P

[dreamer18xx]

well i feel like its up to the person to know if they can handle it or not usually i dont think it's a problem with most people....although i stoped self harming for 3 months and wanted to read willow b/c i thought i could relate to the whole cutting thing and i ended up self harming after like the first chapter u.u but i dont feel like that means that more of them shouldnt be published it makes some people that self harm feel like they're not alone, gives other people an idea of what its like, and i feel like it sets an example of how you should avoid self harming

[User4rmKy]

I've always thought that issues like self harm, abuse, etc. should be made more public. However, when I kept seeing things that said "May be triggering", I began to second guess myself... Anyway, I love writing stories and they usually deal with abuse. Since they'll never get published, it won't matter anyway, but I just wondered. Thanks for all the wonderful replies!

[MadManWithaBox]

I had to order 'cut' with a 9 day wait >.<

[Twistember]

Have you ever read the book Willow by Julia Hoban? I read it and at some points it reminded me of myself and I had to put it down to cut. This happened at least 3 or 4 times. Even though this book triggered me, I think there should be more books about self injury. This topic shouldn't be avoided because of how many people it affects. Yes, this book triggered me, but it also showed me that there is hope for someone like me. I bet there are more books like this out there that could help self-injurers.

[love is louder]

i second this!