[ceejayoz]

> Not being triggered by a depiction of a rape in a novel doesn't mean you're indifferent towards rape.

That wasn't the point being made.

The point is that if depictions of rape are triggering to you, it's not necessarily important to work on not being triggered by rape depictions. Avoidance is generally acceptable there.

[antepodius]

Isn't it better for a person to not be triggerable?

Wouldn't you wish, if a friend of yours was chronically vunerable in a way that hindered them that, all else being equal, they would become more resilient- for their own sake?

[mirimir]

Yes, this !!!

Being triggerable is a weakness. It gives others power over you. So why would anyone want that?

Also, not being triggerable does not mean being insensitive or cynical or tolerant or whatever. It's just about being able to deal with stuff without freaking out.

[ceejayoz]

> So why would anyone want that?

Even after decades of therapy, rape victims may still be triggered by descriptions/depictions of rape. Abuse victims may not be able to watch a movie with an abused child without breaking down, even after long, intensive therapy.

It's not generally a choice.

[mirimir]

OK, thanks.

And upon reflection, I get that I'm triggered by dogs. Having been attacked by a doberman, many years ago. And surviving only because it was on a chain, and I didn't fall down. So it only took a chunk out of one ankle.

So now, whenever I encounter a dog, I immediately think about what I could use as a weapon.

[ceejayoz]

Sure. That’s what therapy is for. It's still a long, tough road for survivors of trauma.

Triggering people in an unsafe, uncontrolled context can make it harder, not easier.