How to Deal With Traumatic News Images While Staying Informed
War is hell, and we get visual reminders of it every day from Ukraine. Add to that the traumatic events taking place in the US and around the world, and you have a plethora of images and videos that we may stumble upon while trying to keep up with the news or even browsing social media in an attempt to relax.
Some of these images and videos can be upsetting, but Arash Javanbakht, a professor of psychiatry who works with trauma survivors, has noticed that people often keep looking for traumatic images. They feel like ignoring these images will make them insensitive or ignorant, but he has some tips on how to deal with frustrating images without feeling like you have to log out completely.
One time is enough
If you see something traumatic, you don’t need to watch it over and over again, you don’t need to look for other points of view or look for more information about what happened. “Your emotional suffering will not lessen the suffering of the victims,” Javanbakht writes for The Conversation . Instead, consider how much information you really want or need on the subject, and stop when you’ve gathered it.
In the same vein, if you tell someone else about what you saw, consider the fact that they may not need a full description of the atrocities you saw, much less a link to the video.
Take breaks
If you see unpleasant things every time you check your news or social media feeds, consider checking them only on a schedule. You are not uninformed if you last read the news six hours ago; even if the story develops quickly, tomorrow morning you will be able to find out about everything that happened during this time.
It’s also normal and even healthy to look for positive things and rejoice in any good news you can find. Don’t feel guilty about laughing at memes or celebrating happy occasions with friends; these moments are as much a part of life as the negative ones.
Be close to your children
If you have children, they are more likely to see what you see and may want to talk. Ask questions and carry on the conversation at whatever level they are open to. We have a guide on how to talk to kids about current events.
At the same time, remember that children learn from the adults around them whether they should feel safe or not. It’s okay to express your feelings, even negative ones, but pay attention to whether you say more than you mean.
Consider asking for help
It is normal and human to feel sad, angry or anxious when we learn about the suffering of others. Even if you don’t know the people who have been hurt, your reactions are real and valid. Consider doing something that relieves stress for you, like exercise or something like journaling. And if you’re feeling a lot of stress, it might be time to finally find a therapist .