> In other words: trigger warnings are counterproductive in that they cultivate sensitivities instead of counteracting them. Or, they give people with a sensit

> In other words: trigger warnings are counterproductive in that they cultivate sensitivities instead of counteracting them. Or, they give people with a sensitivity a moment to fortify themselves, or delay reading/looking until they know they'll have a moment where they can afford to get a little derailed. Of all the people I know who value trigger warnings/content warnings/content notes and use them to adjust their own behaviour, exactly none of them use them to avoid their triggers 100% of the time. I'm sure such people are out there, but they're a small minority. Rather, they make mental distress a little more predictable and easier to navigate. Your advice to seek out exposure to the sensitivity is, as a sibling comment says, perhaps better done under supervision a little more professional than a HN comment, but more importantly, also suggests a certain mindfulness about managing the sensitivity. Getting exposed to the sensitivity might well decrease its pull, but getting surprised by the sensitivity is more likely to re-traumatise.