Tap the next to a trigger to pin it. Pinned triggers always appear at the top so they're easy to find.

Your Triggers

a dog dies

This trigger is for people who are upset by the death of a canine companion. Dogs are often portrayed as loyal friends in films, and their death can be very triggering.
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Animal Death

a cat dies

This trigger is for people who are upset by the death of a feline companion. Cats can form strong bonds with their owners, and their death on screen can be emotionally difficult to watch.
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a dragon dies

This trigger is for viewers who may be attached to a fictional creature's well-being, even if it's a fantasy element like a dragon. This can be especially true if the dragon is portrayed as a sympathetic character.
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a horse dies

This trigger is for people who are upset by the death of a horse. Horses are often seen as majestic creatures, and their death can be a difficult scene to watch, especially for animal lovers or horse enthusiasts.
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a pet dies

This trigger is a broader category encompassing the death of any animal companion, including dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, etc.
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an animal dies
(besides a dog, cat or horse)

This trigger is a broader category encompassing the death of any animal depicted on screen. It's useful for viewers who are sensitive to animal death in general.
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there's a dead animal

This trigger is for viewers who are generally disturbed by the sight of dead animals on screen.
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Animal Distress

animals are abused

This trigger is for viewers who are disturbed by scenes of animal cruelty or violence. This can include physical abuse, neglect, or forced fighting.
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rabbits are harmed

This trigger is for viewers who are specifically upset by the death or mistreatment of rabbits. Rabbits are popular pets and can be seen as vulnerable creatures.
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an animal is abandoned

This trigger is for people who have a strong emotional connection to animals and are affected by depictions of animal neglect or abandonment. It can be distressing for those who have experienced the loss of a pet or have concerns about animal welfare.
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an animal is sad

This trigger is for viewers who are affected by scenes depicting animal sadness or distress. This could include animals separated from their young, injured animals, or animals in captivity.
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there's dog fighting

Dog fighting is a cruel and illegal activity that involves forcing dogs to fight each other. Even depictions of dog fighting can be very disturbing.
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animals were harmed in the making

This trigger is for viewers who are concerned about the ethical treatment of animals in filmmaking. Some older films or films with unrealistic stunts may have used methods that harmed animals.
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Animal Phobia

there's an alligator or crocodile

This trigger is for people with a fear of large reptiles, such as herpetophobia, a general fear of reptiles or amphibians.
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there are bugs

This trigger is for people with entomophobia, a fear of insects. Even brief appearances of bugs can cause anxiety and distress.
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there are sharks

This trigger is for people with a fear of sharks. Even scenes that don't show shark attacks can be triggering for some viewers.
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there are snakes

This trigger is for people with ophidiophobia, a fear of snakes. Even brief appearances of snakes can cause anxiety and distress for some viewers.
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there are spiders

This trigger is for people with arachnophobia, a fear of spiders. Even brief appearances of spiders can cause anxiety and distress for some viewers.
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Appendages

hands are damaged

Depictions of injuries or harm inflicted on hands.
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someone dislocates something

Depictions of joints being forced out of their normal position.
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someone breaks a bone

Depictions of bone fractures.
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there's Achilles Tendon injury

Depictions of injuries to the Achilles tendon.
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there's amputation

Depictions of limbs being removed.
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there's finger/toe mutilation

Depictions of injuries to fingers or toes.
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there's genital trauma/mutilation

Graphic depictions of injuries to genitalia.
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Head

teeth are damaged

Depictions of injuries to teeth.
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heads get squashed

Graphic depictions of heads being crushed or compressed.
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there's decapitation

Depictions of a severed head.
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there's eye mutilation

Graphic depictions of injuries to eyes.
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Neck

someone asphyxiates

A person is deprived of oxygen, leading to unconsciousness or death.
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someone struggles to breathe

Choking, suffocation, strangling, hyperventilating, and other depictions of difficulty in breathing.
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somebody is choked

A person is strangled or suffocated by having their throat constricted.
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there are hangings

Depictions of people suspended by a rope or other object around the neck.
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someone's throat is mutilated

Graphic depictions of injuries to the throat or neck.
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Whole Body

Someone becomes unconscious

A person loses consciousness due to injury, illness, or other causes.
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someone falls down stairs

Depictions of a person falling down a flight of stairs.
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someone falls to their death

Depictions of a fatal fall.
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someone has a seizure

Depictions of uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain.
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someone is buried alive

Depictions of a person being buried while still alive.
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someone is burned alive

Depictions of a person being consumed by fire.
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someone is crushed to death

Depictions of a person being compressed to death by extreme force.
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someone is stabbed

Depictions of a person being wounded by a sharp object.
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there's torture

Depictions of inflicting severe pain or suffering.
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there's body horror

Does some sort of experimentation, mutations, or other event happen that warps the body. Graphic and disturbing depictions of physical bodies.
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there's cannibalism

Depictions of humans consuming human flesh.
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there's excessive gore

Overwhelming amounts of blood, violence, and bodily fluids.
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there's shaving/cutting

Depictions of self-harm or other cutting actions.
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Children

a baby cries

Depictions of a crying infant, which can be irritating or distressing for some viewers.
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a kid dies

Depictions of a child's death, whether accidental, intentional, or from illness.
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an infant is abducted

Depictions of a baby or infant being taken away without permission.
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Pregnancy

someone has an abortion

The termination of a pregnancy.
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there is a baby or unborn child

Depictions of a baby or unborn child.
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a pregnant person dies

The death of a pregnant individual.
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someone miscarries

The spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before the 20th week.
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a baby is stillborn

The birth of a dead baby.
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there's childbirth

Depictions of the process of giving birth.
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Abandonment

someone leaves without saying goodbye

This trigger is for individuals who have experienced sudden departures or unexpected endings in relationships. It can evoke feelings of rejection, betrayal, and uncertainty.
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a child is abandoned by a parent or guardian

This trigger is for individuals who have experienced or fear abandonment, particularly in childhood. It can evoke strong emotional responses related to loss, fear, and insecurity.
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Death

a major character dies

The death of a primary or beloved character.
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a non-human character dies

The death of an animal or fictional creature.
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someone dies

A general term for the death of a person.
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someone sacrifices themselves

A character intentionally dies to save others.
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Family

a family member dies

The death of a relative, causing grief, loss, and family disruption.
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a parent dies

The death of a parent, leading to profound emotional trauma and life changes.
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someone cheats

A romantic partner engages in infidelity, causing betrayal, heartbreak, and relationship breakdown.
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A child's dear toy is destroyed

The loss of a beloved toy, symbolizing emotional security and comfort.
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someone is kidnapped

A family member is taken away against their will, leading to fear, anxiety, and trauma.
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Loss

a priceless artifact is destroyed

The destruction of a valuable or irreplaceable object.
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Disability

someone disabled played by able-bodied

An able-bodied actor portraying a character with a disability.
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the r-slur is used

The use of a derogatory term against people with intellectual disabilities.
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Law Enforcement

there is copaganda

Propaganda that portrays law enforcement in a positive light, often ignoring or downplaying issues of police misconduct.
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there's incarceration

Depictions of imprisonment or confinement.
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LGBTQ+

there are transphobic slurs

The use of derogatory terms against transgender people.
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a trans person is depicted predatorily

Portraying a transgender person as inherently dangerous or predatory.
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an LGBT+ person is outed

A person's sexual orientation or gender identity is revealed without their consent.
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there's bisexual cheating

Depictions of infidelity involving a bisexual person.
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there's deadnaming or birthnaming

Using a person's deadname or birth name after they have transitioned.
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Prejudice

there are "Man in a dress" jokes

Jokes that mock transgender women or men who do not conform to traditional gender roles.
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there's fat jokes

Jokes that mock or ridicule people based on their weight.
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there are homophobic slurs

The use of derogatory terms against LGBTQ+ individuals.
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an LGBT person dies

The death of an individual who identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer.
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Using an incorrect gender pronoun or term to refer to a person.
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there's ableist language or behavior

Language or actions that discriminate against or stigmatize people with disabilities.
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there's Aphobia

Prejudice or discrimination against asexual people.
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someone speaks hate speech

The use of language that promotes hatred or violence against a particular group.
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Race

someone says the n-word

The use of a racial slur against Black people.
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the black guy dies first

A trope in which Black characters are disproportionately likely to die in media.
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a minority is misrepresented

Depictions of minority groups in a stereotypical or harmful way.
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there's antisemitism

Prejudice or discrimination against Jewish people.
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there's blackface

The wearing of makeup or costumes to imitate or mock Black people.
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Religious

there's demons or Hell

Depictions of supernatural beings or a place of punishment in the afterlife.
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religion is discussed

Depictions or discussions of religious beliefs or practices.
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Sexism

a male character is ridiculed for crying

Depictions of a male character being mocked or shamed for expressing emotions.
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Social

there's anti-abortion themes

Depictions or discussions that oppose abortion.
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there's fat suits

The use of costumes to make actors appear overweight.
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existentialism is debated

Philosophical discussions or exploration of the meaning of life and existence.
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someone is homeless

Depictions of individuals without a permanent home.
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Medical

needles/syringes are used

The use of sharp objects to inject or withdraw substances.
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someone has a heart attack
someone has cancer

Depictions of a person diagnosed with cancer.
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electro-therapy is used

The use of electrical current to treat medical conditions.
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there's a hospital scene

Scenes set in a hospital environment.
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there's a mental institution scene

Scenes set in a psychiatric facility.
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there's menstruation

Depictions of a woman's menstrual cycle.
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Sickness

someone has a chronic illness

Depictions of individuals living with long-term health conditions.
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someone has a stroke

Depictions of individuals experiencing a stroke, a sudden loss of brain function.
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someone is terminally ill

Depictions of individuals with a life-threatening illness.
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someone has dementia/Alzheimer's

Depictions of individuals with progressive cognitive decline.
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Addiction

alcohol abuse

This trigger involves depictions of excessive or harmful alcohol consumption, which can be triggering for individuals struggling with alcohol addiction or those affected by alcoholism.
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someone uses drugs

This trigger encompasses the use of various illicit substances and can be distressing for people recovering from drug addiction, those with family members struggling with addiction, or individuals concerned about the negative impacts of drug use.
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there's addiction

This trigger refers to the broader concept of addiction, encompassing various behaviors beyond substance abuse. This includes process addictions such as gambling, sex addiction, workaholism, and other compulsive behaviors. It can be triggering for individuals struggling with any form of addiction or those supporting someone with an addiction.
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Drugs/Alcohol

someone overdoses

A person dies or becomes seriously ill due to taking an excessive amount of a substance.
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Mental Health

someone has an anxiety attack

A person experiences a sudden surge of intense fear or discomfort.
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someone has a meltdown

A person experiences a sudden and overwhelming emotional outburst.
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someone has a mental illness

Depictions of individuals struggling with mental health conditions.
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someone has an eating disorder

Depictions of individuals with disordered eating patterns.
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someone suffers from PTSD

Depictions of individuals experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder.
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a mentally ill person is violent

Portraying individuals with mental illnesses as inherently dangerous or violent.
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autism is misrepresented

Inaccurate or stereotypical depictions of autism spectrum disorder.
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reality is unstable or unhinged

Depictions of a character experiencing a distorted or fragmented sense of reality.
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there's ABA therapy

Depictions of applied behavior analysis therapy, which can be controversial and potentially harmful.
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Autism specific abuse

Abuse targeting individuals with autism spectrum disorder.
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there's body dysmorphia

Depictions of individuals with an excessive preoccupation with perceived flaws in their appearance.
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there's body dysphoria

Depictions of a mismatch between a person's physical sex and their gender identity, otr otherwise feeling dissatisfied with their own bodies.
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D.I.D. Misrepresentation

Inaccurate or stereotypical depictions of dissociative identity disorder.
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there's dissociation, depersonalization, or derealization

Depictions of a person feeling detached from their own thoughts, feelings, or surroundings.
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there's misophonia

Scenes that trigger misophonia, such as repetitive sounds, eating noises, or other sounds that can be intensely irritating.
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Paranoia

someone is watched without knowing

Depictions of a character being observed without their awareness, creating a sense of unease and paranoia.
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the fourth wall is broken

The character directly addresses the audience, blurring the lines between reality and fiction, which can be unsettling.
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Relationships

there's a large age gap

A significant difference in age between romantic partners.
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Self Harm

Someone attempts suicide

Depictions of a person attempting to take their own life.
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someone dies by suicide

Depictions of a person taking their own life.
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someone says "I'll kill myself"

Expressions of suicidal ideation.
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someone self harms
S.A.F.E. ALTERNATIVES® (1-800-DONTCUT)

Depictions of individuals intentionally causing harm to themselves.
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Creepy Crawly

there's bedbugs

Depictions of bedbugs or evidence of a bedbug infestation.
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Fear

there are clowns

Depictions of clowns, often associated with childhood trauma and fear.
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there's ghosts

Depictions of spirits of the dead, often associated with haunting and supernatural phenomena.
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there are jump scares

Sudden and unexpected moments of startling noise or visual effects.
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there are mannequins

Depictions of life-sized human models, often associated with uncanny valley and unease.
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there's natural bodies of water

Depictions of large, deep bodies of water, often associated with the unknown and danger.
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there are razors
S.A.F.E. ALTERNATIVES® (1-800-DONTCUT)

Depictions of sharp blades, often associated with danger and self-harm.
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someone is possessed

A person is controlled by a supernatural or evil entity.
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there's a claustrophobic scene

Depictions of confined spaces that can trigger fear or anxiety in individuals with claustrophobia.
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there are shower scenes
trypophobic content is shown

Depictions of clusters of small holes or bumps, which can trigger a fear response in some people.
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Gross

there's spitting

Depictions of a person expelling saliva.
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someone vomits

Depictions of a person expelling stomach contents.
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someone wets/soils themselves

Depictions of a person urinating or defecating on themselves or in their pants.
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someone is eaten

Depictions of a person being consumed by another creature or entity.
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There's audio gore

Sound effects that depict violence, injury, or bodily fluids.
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someone defecates

Depictions of a person defecating on-screen.
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there's farting

Depictions of flatulence.
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Live Theatre

there's entrances from audience
there's audience participation
there's flying onstage
there's live gunfire
there's smoke or haze

Noxious

there's flashing lights or images

Rapidly flashing lights or images that can trigger seizures or discomfort in some viewers.
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there are sudden loud noises

Unexpected loud sounds that can startle or frighten viewers.
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there's underwater scenes

Scenes set underwater, which can be disorienting or claustrophobic for some viewers.
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there is obscene language/gestures

Offensive or vulgar language or gestures that can be disturbing or offensive.
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there's screaming

Depictions of people screaming, which can be distressing or alarming.
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shaky cam is used

A handheld camera technique that can create a sense of disorientation or unease.
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Spoiler

there's end credits scenes?

Additional content shown after the main credits.
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the ending is sad

A conclusion that evokes feelings of sadness or loss.
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Santa (et al) is spoiled

Depictions of characters revealing the truth about fictional or mythical figures, such as Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, or the Tooth Fairy, to children who believe in them. This can lead to disappointment, disillusionment, and a loss of innocence.
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Sex

there are incestuous relationships
National Sexual Assault Hotline 800.656.4673

Sexual relationships between close family members.
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there are nude scenes

Depictions of naked bodies.
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someone loses their virginity

A person engages in sexual intercourse for the first time.
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a minor is sexualized

Depictions of children in a sexual manner, including suggestive poses, clothing, or language.
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someone is sexually objectified

A person is treated as a sexual object rather than a human being.
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there's BDSM

Depictions of bondage, discipline, dominance, submission, and masochism.
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there's bestiality

Depictions of sexual acts involving animals.
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there is sexual content

Depictions of sexual acts or behaviors.
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Sexual Assault

sexual assault on men is a joke

Sexual assault on a male might be played of as funny or less serious than if the victim were a woman.
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sexual assault is mentioned

Sexual assault of any kind is mentioned, whether it might be recounting an event or a tasteless joke.
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someone is sexually assaulted

A character is sexually assaulted or harassed.
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someone is sexually assaulted onscreen

A character is sexually assaulted on screen.
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there's pedophilia

Pedophillia is shown or mentioned.
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Abuse

there's abusive parents

This trigger encompasses a broad range of parental abuse, including physical, emotional, and psychological harm. It can be deeply traumatic for survivors of child abuse and those who have witnessed or experienced parental dysfunction.
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the abused forgives their abuser

Seeing abusers be forgiven or absolved of their actions can be very painful for abuse victims, particularly when the forgiveness is portrayed as something the victim "owes" to the abuser or the victim is portrayed as being bitter/ungrateful for things the abuser did for them/selfish/otherwise bad or in the wrong until they forgive the abuser.
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the abused becomes the abuser

This trigger depicts a cycle of violence where a victim of abuse becomes the perpetrator. It can be triggering for survivors of abuse who struggle with feelings of guilt or shame, or those who fear repeating the cycle.
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there's child abuse

This trigger specifically focuses on the abuse of children, which can be particularly disturbing and upsetting. It can be triggering for survivors of child abuse, those who work with children, and individuals who have a strong protective instinct towards children.
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a woman is brutalized for spectacle

Many women are victims of physical violence and abuse. Women in media are often made into narrative props that get used as targets for violence, for shock value. This may overlap with some cases of other categories, but encompasses the broader range of situations where women are made into hapless victims of brutal treatment, for shock. Being able to know, beforehand, whether a piece of media includes this trope would be greatly beneficial to many women.
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someone is abused with a belt

This trigger specifically refers to physical abuse involving a belt, which can be a particularly visceral form of violence. It can be triggering for survivors of physical abuse and those who have fears of bodily harm.
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someone gets gaslighted

Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation where a person is made to question their own sanity or perception of reality. This trigger can be distressing for survivors of emotional abuse and those who are particularly vulnerable to manipulation.
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someone is stalked

Stalking is a pattern of unwanted and intrusive behavior that can cause fear and anxiety. This trigger can be distressing for survivors of stalking and those who have experienced harassment or threats.
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there's domestic violence

This trigger encompasses a range of abusive behaviors within intimate relationships, including physical, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse. It can be triggering for survivors of domestic violence and those who have witnessed or experienced unhealthy relationships.
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Assault

a woman gets slapped

A female character is struck forcefully on the face by an open hand.
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someone is beaten up by a bully

A character is physically attacked and injured by another person who is aggressive and intimidating.
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someone is drugged

A character is unknowingly given a substance that alters their mental or physical state without their consent.
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someone is held under water

A character's head is forcibly submerged in water, preventing them from breathing.
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someone is restrained

A character is physically prevented from moving freely through the intentional use of force or physical barriers.
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someone's mouth is covered

A character's mouth is blocked or covered, preventing them from speaking or breathing.
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Large-scale Violence

there are 9/11 depictions

Depictions of the September 11th terrorist attacks.
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Natural Disasters

there is a tsunami

Tsunamis as a result of earthquakes or any other phenomenon that kill people/destroy houses. Showing graphic images of people and places being washed away can be very triggering for me due to past experiences and threats of tsunamis.
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Vehicular

a car crashes

Depictions of a car accident.
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a car honks or tires screech

Loud noises made by vehicles, which can be startling or irritating.
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a plane crashes

Depictions of an airplane accident.
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a person is hit by a car

Depictions of a person being struck by a vehicle.
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Violence

someone drowns

Depictions of a person being submerged in water and unable to breathe.
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there's a nuclear explosion

Depictions of a powerful explosion caused by nuclear energy.
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there's blood/gore

Depictions of blood, violence, and bodily fluids.
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there's gun violence

Depictions of violence involving firearms.
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