Oh, yes, same as you. I generally avoid the really scary stuff because of it.

If there's something suspenseful that I really want to see (like "Silence of the Lambs" after it won the Oscar), I always watch it from a recording. (Used to be VCR, then DVD, now usually downloaded.) As soon as I hear the suspenseful music, I go to fast forward, though a slow fast forward, through the scene so I can see what's happening. Then I'll watch it, though if the sound is too suspenseful, I'll sometimes mute it and watch again before *really* watching it.

It's not only suspense, but any intensely emotional scene. I stopped going to dramatic and frightening movies in theatres years ago because they affect me too deeply. I'm better with books or television, but I still tend to avoid that type of subject matter. I had to stop watching Criminal Minds a few years ago because it became too dark and twisted for me to handle and I won't read books with serial killer plots.

Oh, yes. I cannot watch scary or suspenseful movies/shows as I feel like I'm living the story--I'm sure my bp goes up as well!

Gory stuff is what does it to me. My stomach starts to ache. I just don't know how people can (or would want to) watch slasher movies.

I get a reaction too. and I skim-read ...then go back and pick out what I can, then continue. But, I have given up on a few good writers who have just gone 'over the top' with some stories.

I bite my nails when a movie is suspenseful, and cover my eyes when it gets gorey.

Thanks for the comments--it's good to know I'm not alone!

The worst part of my reaction is that it lingers, even after the source is gone, and it is cumulative. For example, in the case of "24" I reacted during the first episode, but it went away. The reaction built up during episodes 2 and 3, and then the reaction to episode 4 stayed with me for many hours afterward. I watched these four episodes over several days. I'm definitely giving it up. Too bad--good show.

I don't watch that kind of movie for that very reason......it also will sometimes cause bad dreams for me.....

If the physical reaction is really bad and is affecting your life you might want to talk to your family doctor. Especially the part about your blood pressure. There is a drug called Inderal which is a fairly older drug used for years to treat High blood pressure and it is also given to prevent stage fright and some of the physical side affects of high anxiety. I don't know how you feel about such things but it might be a help for you. Of course you can just not watch TV or go to movies or read any books but that is pretty limiting in today's world!
Joann

Thanks, Joann. I considered something like that for my severe Raynaud's (related to an overactive autonomic nervous system), but rejected it--partly because I have low blood pressure under normal circumstances.

I don't have to give up all books, movies, or TV--just the scary/suspenseful stuff. Of course, that cuts it by about three-quarters. :-)

The funny thing is that I give the appearance of being very calm. I have a soothing voice, and I don't act the least bit nervous or anxious. It's all internal.

No..thank heavens!...but I DO get a little "woozy" when they do those frequent camera shots that seem to be taken looking down from a moving helicopter or something.

I don't think it has to do with anxiety or nervousness; I think it has more to do with detachment (or not) and empathy. I think the sort of person who has this reaction (and Fun2BHere is right, it's also to emotional scenes) is a person who isn't very detached, and ends up feeling like they're *in* the movie or the book.

I'm definitely not detached; I'm sensitive to emotions. But I also have a physical problem. My startle reflex is off the charts, and like I said, the Raynaud's is also symptomatic of this. Rightly or wrongly, I blame most things on the excessive radiation I was exposed to as a child.

I do think poeple who are empathetic will have a harder time watching scary or violent stuff but the physical symptoms are what are bothering Alisande. I think I am very empathetic and also don't like watching anything too scary or violent but at the same time I don't get the distressing physical symptoms described by Alisande. Inderal doesn't affect emotions at all it just blocks the beta adrenergic system from producing some of the physical manifestations of stress like rapid heartbeat, increased blood pressure and tremors of the extremities.
Joann

I do! Same thing with the breathing and chest tightening. I am also VERY easily startled - something as simple as someone walking into my line of vision who I wasn't expecting or a voice behind me can make me jump and set my heart racing for a little bit. I usually avoid "startle" type movies, where it goes quiet and things jump out because I'm so jumpy myself that it ruins any enjoyment for me. Usually I can tell when it's going to happen but sometimes it gets me by surprise. There was some movie with Angelina Jolie where she's laying on the bed and someone grabs her from underneath and I'm pretty sure that someone had to peel me off the ceiling afterwards, lol.

I also suffer from anxiety and I have a lot of the same sort of physical reactions when I have a panic attack. I'm sure it's all related.

Not from suspenseful or gory movies or books, but if someone is really ill or sick or suffering, I start to feel weak and ill and depressed. When I read a book called "Alive" (I think it was titled that) about people who survived a plane wreck and ended up having to consume human flesh or die of starvation/hypothermia, I felt just awful- weak, faint, sad, etc. So I tend avoid books with that kind of real-life illness in it.

The only time I get a lasting reaction is when it concerns animals. I can't stand to watch any movies or read books where an animal is abused, harmed, or in peril. Anything like that will depress me for days. So I try to avoid movies and books with that sort of thing. Of course, newspapers and other news outlets also cover such things, so it is almost impossible to avoid.

Isn't it interesting how so many of us can 'relate' to these feelings. My DH is always so disturbed by my "startle" reaction. He just can't get it....that even tho we are the only two people in the house, I jump out of my skin when he unexpectedly pops into my sewing room. So, I am glad to know that I am not alone. All of you reactions are very similar to mine.

Absolutely cannot watch scary stuff on the tube...or read anything scary...call me chicken lol

Yes, it's amazing how many relate...I think I counted TEN. Out of the maybe hundred people or so who may read, TEN people posted that they relate....

IT'S JUST A MOVIE PEOPLE!! IT'S NOT REAL! These are actors. It's from a script. It's NOT real!!!!!!!!

ghoghunter...some drugs make watching movies more fun...hehe

Petra, I'm exactly the same way. When I was a little girl, my mother finally decided not to let me watch "Lassie" anymore because I'd get upset and cry during every single episode. I wasn't worried about Timmy, but I couldn't bear to see Lassie worried or in danger. "Bambi" nearly did me in. I'm no better as an adult!

Petra, I'm exactly the same way. When I was a little girl, my mother finally decided not to let me watch "Lassie" anymore because I'd get upset and cry during every single episode. I wasn't worried about Timmy, but I couldn't bear to see Lassie worried or in danger. "Bambi" nearly did me in. I'm no better as an adult!

Coral, I am glad I am not the only one. Bambi and Old Yeller just about killed me. :o)

alisande, I have a very similar problem, except my chest doesn't get tight. I remember back when I was watching the O.J. Simpson trial, after the closing arguments when the judgement was about to be made, I thought I was going to have a heart attack. It was pounding so hard and fast, I had to practice deep breathing to be able to stay in the room and listen to the final verdict!

I also had an extemely over the top startle reflex, to the point that it interfered with my job. I worked at a Daycare, and would inadvertently scare any child who came up behind me, by my sudden jump and startled cry. Then I'd have to console the child and tell them I hadn't meant to scare them and I wasn't angry with them, but that I just get 'suprised too much' when anyone comes up and talks or touches me who I didn't see coming.

When I told my Dr. about all this, she said I had a very hyperactive autonomic system and decided to try me on a beta blocker. Because, like you, I had low blood pressure, she put me on half the amount of the lowest dose that is given for that drug. It did lower my blood pressure about 10 points for both diastolic and systolic, but she said that it's not low enough to be dangerous unless I start fainting, which has never happened.

Miraculously, I only have a normal startle reflex now and can watch t.v. and movies I enjoy without feeling I might be risking a heart attack. Maybe you should ask your doctor if this could possibly help you, (if your normal blood pressure isn't too low.)

Pickyshopper (and Joann) I was thinking I'd talk to my doctor about possibly trying a beta blocker this winter. The 2011-12 winter was so freaky mild that for the first time in years my Raynaud's only damaged three of my fingernails. But I can't expect anything like that this coming winter, so I'd be tempted to give it a try. I'll tell him about the half of lowest dose approach--thanks! It would be wonderful not to get open sores on my fingers from the cold, and it would also be fun to watch any program I like for a change.

IT'S JUST A MOVIE PEOPLE!! IT'S NOT REAL! These are actors. It's from a script. It's NOT real!!!!!!!!

Jeaninwa, of course we know it's not real. That's not the point. You were probably kidding.

When I was little, I spent a lot of time visiting with my same-age cousin Diane. We used to watch "Lassie" together on Sunday nights, but Diane used to get scared because in the plots Lassie or a family member "Jeff,Timmy, Grandpa,Mom or Dad " would be in danger. She didn't like watching Lassie, so we stopped. I was "sophisticated" enough to know the show always had a happy resolution.

I am mostly okay as an adult, but I vividly remember things I saw or read as a young person. I read several Stephen King novels at about 16-17 year old and details stick with me that I really should forget.
Pet Semetary is the worst. I remember the name of the character that was killed in the very beginning. He was a relatively small character in the scope of the book, but I remember his name was Victor Pascow.

I absolutely cannot watch any Stephen King movies. Don't even want to remember IT. Absolutely terrified me.

I hate Wizard of OZ to this day because of the trauma over the flying monkeys....LOL

yes, heart pounds, breathing harder, muscles tense. I think it's a normal response. that is what are bodies are designed to do. I do cry at sad movies and books also. I will not watch old yeller again... I'm not sure if I ever watched the whole thing. I need to decide if I'm willing to be seen crying before I'll decide to go to a movie. Or sometimes I just don't want to cry so won't watch or read things that willl make me cry. Wizard of Oz freaked me out, the flying monkies. lol I have to turn my head during nasty parts of tv shows or movies. Criminal Minds is one of the worst for that.