Does watching war news on TV bother you?
The media we consume on a daily basis has an impact on our thoughts,
actions, and feelings. If you watch or listen to the news on a regular
basis, the majority of what you re hearing or seeing is likely about the
recent Russia-Ukraine War.
People spend a significant amount of their leisure time online. We are
increasingly relying on internet sources such as social media for news and
other information. Following a crisis, social media is a vital means of
disseminating information. In times of disaster, media consumption can be a
useful tool, and it is often how people first learn about disasters.
Before, during, and after a tragedy, accurate and timely information is
essential to keep families safe and prepared. However, it is equally crucial
to recognize the dangers of constant exposure to graphic pictures and
24-hour news cycles to one s mental health. Because of their frequent
updates, online news sources are ideally positioned to amplify harmful
mental health impacts. Due to the continual updating of feeds with fresh
information, thoughts, and opinions that might masquerade as actual news
reports, and its ability to hold a huge number of articles about the same
topic from many perspectives, media can worsen negative mental health
impacts.
Media attention before, during, and after a disaster can affect mental
health issues such as sadness and anxiety, just as the event itself might.
This can further lead to an increase in absenteeism and affect workplace
productivity.
Media exposure after a disaster can have a variety of mental health
consequences, ranging from normal sadness, worry, and anxiety to more
serious consequences such as
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
(Rogers, 2013). Secondary traumatization may also be increased as a result
of media exposure.
When tragedies occur, the constant stream of pictures on television and
social media can have a strong psychological impact on children as well,
whether they are directly in the path of danger or watching from thousands
of kilometers away. A most recent study employs brain scans to demonstrate
how simply viewing news coverage of disasters can increase children s
anxiety and induce brain responses that put them at risk for post-traumatic
stress symptoms.
In order to avoid such negative feelings to sink in, measures can be taken
to keep a safe distance from the media. Keep track of how much media you
consume on a daily basis and cut back if required. Checking in the morning
and evening, for example, can keep you up to date while avoiding
overexposure to disturbing material. When watching news coverage of the
incident, be conscious of your emotions. Turn it off and do something else
if you feel anxious or unhappy. Articles with sensationalist titles or gory
graphics should be avoided.
Online Counselling & Therapy
Get help for anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues
HopeQure’s health services use a HIPAA-compliant video conferencing
platform. If you have chosen to pursue online counseling at HopeQure, our
therapists serve adults, adolescents, and the elderly. You can access the
services, programs, and webinars at our site, regardless of where you
live.
We wish you a fruitful therapy session!