2023-10-17 13:41:54
Dubai, United Arab Emirates (CNN) – As the situation in Israel and Gaza continues to evolve, many people far from the conflict are exposed to countless scenes, images, and stories via television news reports, and of course via social media platforms.
This negatively affects all of us, including our children.
So, the American Psychological Association issued a statement this week warning that consuming violent and distressing news may itself negatively affect our mental health.
The statement read: “Psychology tells us that feelings of fear, anxiety, and stress resulting from trauma have long-term effects on health and well-being. These effects are felt by people all over the world who have family and friends in the area, as well as those who are concerned regarding the effects of War is everywhere.”
So, how do we stay informed while protecting our mental health and the health of our children?
This is an issue that has come up repeatedly in the context of a long list of events such as shootings, the climate change crisis, natural disasters such as hurricanes and wildfires, and the Covid-19 pandemic.
CNN’s chief medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, reached out to Dr. Jill Saltz, an associate professor of psychiatry at New York-Presbyterian University Hospital and Weill Cornell Medical College, for advice on how to approach the issue.
Saltz explained that images in particular pose a problem, as they give the impression that danger is near.
“Visual images tend to stick in your mind like a movie,” she said.
She continued: “Here lies the problem that people are facing now. They see horrific images that go beyond the usual human experience, and they dominate their minds to the point that they cannot concentrate on work, nor even sleep at night.”
“This causes general excitement in the brain, and then in the body,” she added.
Saltz explained that as a physiological response to these images and stories, the sympathetic nervous system begins to function, leading to a state of stress and anxiety.
She emphasized that if you stay anxious for a long time, you start to feel sad, which may eventually lead to depression.
It is very easy to remain anxious for a long time amidst the sight of new technologies that make these horrific images constantly available.
“I think it’s really harmful, especially for children,” she continued.
Saltz noted that some people are more likely than others to develop a severe stress reaction or even post-traumatic stress disorder with the constant flow of images and stories.
She explained, “People in close proximity to the actual events, who have family or friends there are exposed to stress in a direct way, especially if they have a previous mental health problem, such as an anxiety disorder or a mood disorder, as well as people who have suffered from stress.” [أي نوع] From traumas in their past.
Here are some tips to take care of your mental health and the health of your family:
Limit your family’s exposure to news
“You should limit your intake of news and social media platforms,” Saltz said, explaining that she urges not to browse social media platforms, as there is no warning regarding sensitive content.
Saltz recommends limiting news sources to one or two reliable media sources, in addition to limiting the time you spend following the news to up to 30 minutes a day, and that this specific period should not be close to bedtime, as it can affect the quality of sleep, which leads to To a state of anxiety the next day.
Explain what is happening to your child
It’s also important to explain to your children what’s happening in an age-appropriate way, Saltz emphasized.
“Talk to your children, answer their questions, because leaving them to their imagination might be worse and scarier,” she said, adding: “You don’t have to explain precisely, but you should be reasonably honest with them.”
Saltz explained that it is important for children’s parents to initiate such conversations so that they become “their children’s trusted source.”
Saltz stressed that it is necessary to help your children learn how to identify reliable sources, pointing out that “children must be helped to understand that just because someone says something does not mean that it is true,” noting that this suggestion applies to news, medical advice, and others. Of information.
Check your feelings and the feelings of your children
Check for any symptoms we may have so we can treat them, Saltz advised.
She pointed out that all psychiatric diagnoses are actually an extension of potentially normal feelings that have risen to the level of causing dysfunction.
“Everyone feels anxious sometimes,” she said. “When things are difficult and stressful, as they are now, they become more anxious, and this is normal.”
She continued: “When you feel so anxious that you are unable to concentrate… your performance at work is affected, you cannot sleep at night, and your appetite will be affected.”
She added, “When the level of anxiety affects your performance in one or more of the important areas of your life – work, study, relationships – this means that anxiety has risen to a level that requires attention, or even treatment.”
Saltz pointed out that symptoms may be different in children, saying: “In children, anxiety and mood disorders may look completely different. Children can suffer from depression, and they do not appear depressed all the time. They may suffer from crying spells, irritability, or extreme irritability.” “They express sadness, but then they may have other times when they feel happy, which is why depression in children and teens is often overlooked.”
Saltz noted that children are more likely to “objectify” their psychological distress. For example, anxiety may appear in the form of stomach pain or headache.
Prepare ways to cope with stress
When stress and fear ignite our amygdala, the part of the brain that controls our emotional response, we are not in a state of “wise mind.”
Saltz explained that we can gain wisdom “by doing physiological activities to calm our nervous system. Such as adding five minutes of deep, rapid breathing in the morning and evening, or progressive muscle relaxation.”
Another activity that has been shown to reduce stress is walking, preferably in nature.
She added, “There are many activities that can reduce physiological anxiety, so you can make better choices for better mental health for you and your family.”
Live the positive side of life
Saltz advised engaging in activities that make you feel better.
She said: “This may be through watching positive content to counteract some of the negativity, or doing activities that feel like they are helping the situation in some way.”
Trust that you are not alone
“Know that you have a lot of company,” Saltz said. “Reach out to family, friends, like-minded community, or if you feel you need extra help, reach out to mental health professionals.”
She continued: “I think everyone is feeling very stressed out right now. Try to stay away from people who see the darker side of the situation, as including them in these conversations will likely trigger your emotions.”
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