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 Counselling 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!