That one TV show that caused me emotional distress and a visit to A&E
I’m amazed at how our bodies work. You know how they say our second brain is in our guts? Well, from my recent experience, I would say it’s our first brain; we just need to learn how to listen.
I had an unexplained pain across my stomach for several days. Normally, I would wait for it to pass, but when the pain started accumulating under my left rib and in my right abdomen, I began to worry.
I decided to see my GP.
After describing all my symptoms, she suggested I visit an A&E for further examination. As you can imagine, the idea of spending my day at A&E wasn’t ideal and caused me upfront anxiety. However, I knew it had to be done.
During my 5-hour visit, which isn’t that bad for A&E, I underwent various tests, including a blood test, ECG, and x-ray. The doctor checked my stomach, and the pain was really intense when he pressed here and there. Despite my perfect test results, he was puzzled. Eventually, he had to send me home, comforting me that there was nothing to worry about. He suggested it could be some viral infection that should resolve on its own, but just in case, he would book me for a USG.
I felt relieved.
Not only because the pain wasn’t life-threatening or qualifying for surgery, but also because I was starving after not having eaten all day! All I wanted at that point was to go home, have a light dinner, and eventually retreat to bed.
But I was confused.
How come, with all the textbook-like results, I experienced this pain? My diet is relatively healthy and varied, I exercise, I don’t drink alcohol or smoke, and I don’t have much stress in my life apart from the normal. Yet, my guts were trying to tell me something.
The following day, I had a session with my coach. She helps me deal with my emotions, heal past trauma, and address self-limiting beliefs.
I told her all about my stomachache, and we decided to see whether the pain was related to any incident in the past week, big or small. Because sometimes, we could be triggered by something relatively insignificant, but initially, we might be reacting to a situation that happened in the past.
As an EFT practitioner and transformation coach, she deeply believes in the mind-body connection and that our bodies store memories of distressing past experiences. I second that, hence we started working together.
We took a closer look at one particular event that possibly set me off, but it didn’t feel like the root cause.
Then I shared that I had a similar pain around 8 years ago when my life was relatively comfortable, peaceful, and settled, just like now. We wondered if it was my body not feeling safe in this secure environment, having gotten used to drama and chaos, but that wasn’t it either.
As we were tapping with affirmations to calm down my nervous system, I had an epiphany.
Over a week before, I started watching a show that I had heard was good, although I had been avoiding it for a long time, knowing it is quite dark. Somehow, I thought now was a good time. I felt good, so why not add some stress and drama to my life, right?
The show was deeply distressing from the beginning, and I immediately connected with the main character. I related to her strength, resilience, and positivity at the same time. Within a few episodes, I felt an emotional connection with her fictional situation. It all felt so real that I started having dreams as if I was living what she was going through. Constantly, I was thinking about what I would do if I were in her position. I was also deeply sad and angered at the unfairness she and other characters from the show were experiencing. I kept asking myself, “Why are people so cruel? How can some be so ideologically possessed? And why, in the name of God, are they willing to make other human beings suffer?”
It all started to make sense to me now. My body’s reaction was a response to events that weren’t happening to me. However, as someone who deeply connects with other people’s feelings and experiences, I took them as my own.
I’m a deeply sensitive person. I could cry while watching an emotional advert, hearing heartfelt music, or seeing a dead squirrel on the road.
I’m an empath.
I used to think it was my curse, especially when I was a magnet for narcissists for a long time. But after doing the inner work, I now see it as a gift. A gift I should honour and use wisely.
So, instead of watching emotionally distressing shows like “The Handmaid’s Tale,” I’ll have a cosy night in with my partner, sharing how our day was, meeting with a friend who might need my empathy, or simply choosing heartwarming shows like “Schitt’s Creek” with my introverted cat cuddled up by my side.
It doesn’t go unnoticed by our bodies and nervous system what we watch on a daily basis. Scrolling through social media causes us anxiety because of the information overload our brains can’t comprehend. Starting your day by watching or reading the news will immediately increase your stress hormone levels. Watching dark and emotionally disturbing shows might cost you sleepless nights and an immune system response you wouldn’t predict.
Choose wisely what you watch, read, and listen to. You really don’t need to follow the latest trends and news. In a world where “If you don’t read the news, you’re uninformed. If you do read the news, you’re misinformed” (Denzel Washington), choose inner peace and consume any media responsibly.
