Paging Dr. Gupta: How to Cope with The Current News Cycle
Oct 17, 2023
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Psychiatrist and author Dr. Gail Saltz joins Dr. Sanjay Gupta to discuss coping with the overwhelming news cycle. They address the toll violent images can have on mental health, offer tips on managing stress and anxiety, and provide guidance on talking to children about current events.
Consuming violent news can have a detrimental impact on mental health, causing arousal, anxiety, and even post-traumatic stress disorder.
Parents should limit children's exposure to distressing content, have open conversations, and prioritize mental health.
Deep dives
The Impact of Consuming Violent News on Mental Health
Consuming violent and traumatic news, even for those who witness it secondhand, can take a toll on mental health. Visual images tend to be the most arousing and can become intrusive and distressing. It causes overall arousal in the brain and physiological responses like jitteriness and anxiety. Journalists and those constantly exposed to horrifying content are at an increased risk for acute stress reactions, which can develop into post-traumatic stress disorder. It is important for adults and children to be conscious of how they consume news and limit exposure to distressing images on social media.
Guidance for Parents in Talking to Children
For children over 10 years old, opening up a conversation about the ongoing events and asking what they have heard and how they feel allows parents to provide accurate information and be a trusted source. Parents should limit their children's exposure to distressing content and explain the importance of prioritizing mental health. Regressive behaviors, physical symptoms like stomachaches, and falling off developmental milestones may indicate a need for professional attention. For children under 10, comforting and attending to their feelings is important, but they may not fully comprehend the situation.
Coping Strategies for Maintaining Mental Health
Individuals should be mindful of their consumption of news and social media, choosing to read rather than view distressing images. Deep breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation can help the body physiologically relax and bring down anxiety levels. Understanding the addictive nature of constantly checking for updates can help individuals consciously limit exposure when their mental health is at risk. Prioritizing mental health over constant access to distressing content is crucial in maintaining well-being.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the latest news cycle, you’re not alone. That’s why, on today’s podcast, Dr. Sanjay Gupta turns to psychiatrist and author Dr. Gail Saltz from the New York Presbyterian Hospital, Weill-Cornell Medical College, to talk about the toll violent images and videos from Israel and Gaza can have on our mental health – even if you’re watching from afar on the news or social media. They’ll address how to talk to children and teens about the ever-evolving situation and share tips on how to manage stress and anxiety when the news cycle is unrelenting.
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