I feel like I can lend a hand in this.
I used to be very ‘no-censor’ opinion-minded mainly because I didn’t see the need to filter negative words. I guess I always felt like words in general were important, and that their use in our language is what shapes our understanding. If we filter words, or put them under sheltered umbrellas, then we were taking away from the harshness of whatever it is we’re discussing (abuse, in this case) and instead “talking/not talking” about them. I mean, if you’re not able to state a harsh truth, then what’s the point in saying anything?
At that time, why I had trauma, I was coping with it really well and none of my triggers were ever brought up in discussion, so I had nothing to worry about. Then… some actually horrendous traumatic shit happened to me, repeatedly, over the course of three years and soon I was diagnosed with C-PTSD… leaving me with some more triggers, these one’s not so uncommon.
This isn’t to say I disagree with my past self. Words are important and by filtering them, we take away from their harshness and the ability to discuss a situation with complete clarity. However, I do understand the need for trigger warnings, which are really super simple.
Before someone begins a discussion, a simple “TW: ABUSE” can really help a lot of people who don’t know what the discussions about, and who may be triggered easily. And let me tell you, telling people you need a trigger warning, or telling people that a certain joke you used to laugh at triggers you now, is embarrassing. Shameful, even. Because, on one hand, you can’t expect people to constantly numb their words for your benefit, why on the other, these things really are having a massive impact on you and your mental health. People jokes about the word ‘trigger’ but it’s a real, and scary, thin.
I don’t agree with censoring every word having to do with it, a simple warning at the beginning is more than enough, and really, at the end of the day, it does nothing for or to the person to place it there, but for someone dealing with trauma, it can mean a lot.
That’s not to say you shouldn’t be taking your mental health into your own hands. If you’re aware of your triggers, and aware that certain discussions would/could be detrimental to your mental health, then it’s your responsibility to filter them out of your life and to avoid topics. Like, one of my big triggers is self-deletion. I don’t expect the world to stop talking about it, or for people to stop spreading awareness. But I’m also aware that it’s mentioned in most movies and TV shows. So, really, the only way for me to avoid being triggered is to watch children’s movies and shows… and that works for me. I avoid what hurts me, and I don’t get hurt. My mental health is better for it.