{"id":"f-445134d771-c5c39faf-4dd2-5ee3-8e5e-4e200f9ee8b4","title":"Experts Discuss Coping with Distressing News and Managing Mental Health","description":"Experts highlight the importance of coping mechanisms in response to distressing news, emphasizing responsible media consumption and mental health management.","timestamp":1772523313,"category":"food_and_health","headline":"Experts Discuss Coping with Distressing News and Managing Mental Health","modifiedHeadline":"Experts Urge Calm Amid News-Fueled Anxiety","subCategories":["scid_67e09d1c"],"subcategoriesName":["Health Tips"],"region":"IN","bundleMetaData":{"bundleId":"94492560-36a1-4b57-9385-e839f7818488","bundleTitle":"Find Inner Peace","cardData":null},"iabCategoryId":"286","fcSummary":"Amidst alarming news about escalating international conflict, mental health professionals advise managing stress and anxiety through responsible news consumption. Experts note increased patient anxiety since 2020, often linked to compulsive social media use and feelings of helplessness. Limiting exposure, choosing neutral sources, and prioritizing self-care are recommended coping strategies.","summary":"Experts advise limiting news consumption & practicing coping strategies amid distressing events like the Iran-Israel conflict, for mental health.","ctaUrl":"https://trends.glance.com/newz/news/IN/en/timesnow/f-445134d771-c5c39faf-4dd2-5ee3-8e5e-4e200f9ee8b4","sourceUrl":"https://www.timesnownews.com/agency-news/experts-discuss-coping-with-distressing-news-and-managing-mental-health-article-153739477","bannerImage":"https://g-mob.glance-cdn.com/public/fc/image/J7N3x9FGGdC0.webp","content":"

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — As alarming headlines emerged over the weekend regarding violent U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and the risk of escalating conflict,

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many individuals found themselves inundated with distressing news via alerts, social media, and family discussions. Medical professionals emphasize that experiencing stress and anxiety in response to such news is a normal reaction. They stress the importance of developing coping strategies and consuming news responsibly to safeguard mental health.

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Understanding Normal Reactions

Since 2020, a year marked by the COVID-19 pandemic and various societal upheavals, psychiatrist Michael S. Ziffra has observed a significant increase in patients expressing heightened anxiety related to current events.\n
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\nPatients often discuss feelings of helplessness, frustration, and compulsive social media scrolling. However, psychiatrists affirm that such reactions are common and can sometimes lead to positive outcomes, such as increased civic engagement or advocacy efforts.\n
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\nSome individuals may seek to educate themselves about ongoing events, but experts caution that moderation is essential.\n
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\n“The problem is, for a lot of people, they just kind of wallow in it. They ruminate and obsess and just sort of stew in it,” Ziffra noted.\n
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The Impact of Media Consumption

In an age where information is readily available at the click of a button, individuals often find themselves overwhelmed by constant news updates and alerts. The accessibility of 24/7 news cycles and rapid dissemination of information through social media exacerbates this exposure.\n
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\nDana Rose Garfin, a psychologist at UCLA, has studied the phenomenon of 'cascading collective traumas' and how continuous media coverage can amplify anxiety. She points out that people's consumption habits have drastically changed, with many being more frequently exposed to distressing news.\n
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\n“In terms of any kind of crisis, people turn to the media for information. And that’s a very logical, rational and helpful reaction,” Garfin stated.\n
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\nShe explained that this creates a cycle: an event occurs, people seek information, and their distress often increases as a result.\n
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Guidelines for Responsible News Consumption

Experts recommend that individuals find healthier ways to engage with the news. One of their primary suggestions is to reduce or eliminate time spent on social media and avoid excessive 'doomscrolling.'\n
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\nRoxane Cohen Silver, a psychologist at UC Irvine, shared her personal strategy of limiting social media use to protect her mental health, particularly from graphic content that can trigger anxiety.\n
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\n“I think that one can stay informed without immersing oneself in graphic images,” she advised.\n
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\nGarfin also encourages seeking out more enjoyable news formats, such as reading articles or listening to podcasts, instead of mindlessly scrolling through feeds.\n
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\nSetting timers for news consumption can help regulate screen time, as both iPhones and Android devices offer tools for this purpose.\n
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\nZiffra advised opting for neutral news sources to avoid content that may heighten anxiety or provoke strong emotional responses.\n
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Finding Effective Coping Mechanisms

Even when news events occur far from home, individuals can experience significant stress. Experts emphasize the need for identifying coping mechanisms to manage these feelings.\n
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\n“People have a lot of inherent knowledge of what helps them... and things that they find comfort in, which is different for everybody,” Garfin explained.\n
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\nRecommended coping strategies include engaging in breathing exercises, pursuing hobbies, spending time with friends, seeking therapy, and practicing self-care.\n
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\n“Things that are going to get your mind off of all of the obsessing and worrying and really putting your thoughts on something more positive,” Ziffra added.\n
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Experts Discuss Coping with Distressing News and Managing Mental Health

SUMMARY