How Watching the News Impacts Mental Health: Anxiety, Stress, and Trauma Explained

In today’s episode of Giving Voice to Depression, Terry and Anita discuss how constant exposure to traumatic news affects our mental health. Drawing on insights from therapists and Dr. Robert Duff (aka Duff the Psych), they explore vicarious traumatization—the way we absorb trauma simply by witnessing it in the media.

Listeners will learn why our brains struggle with the nonstop replay of violent or tragic events, and how this repeated exposure can fuel anxiety, fear, and even symptoms of PTSD. More importantly, the episode offers actionable strategies for staying informed without becoming overwhelmed, including setting limits, choosing healthier ways to consume news, and creating balance by intentionally bringing “lightness” into your day.

If you’ve been feeling drained, anxious, or helpless after following world events, this conversation will help you understand what’s happening and how to protect your mental health.

Related News Article: www.huffpost.com/entry/violent-me…nxiety_n_6671732
Related Research: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4803729/
Dr. Robert Duff (Duff the Psych) website: www.duffthepsych.com/

Primary Topics Covered:

• What vicarious or secondary traumatization means and how it happens
• The impact of repeated exposure to traumatic media images
• Why no one is immune to distress from news coverage
• Practical strategies for protecting your mental health while staying informed
• The importance of balance and creating intentional lightness

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro and framing the topic of news-related trauma
 01:05 How witnessing traumatic events impacts mental health
 02:00 Listener feedback and real-world examples
 02:54 Introducing Dr. Robert Duff (Duff the Psych)
 04:40 Healthy ways to consume news without being overwhelmed
 05:21 The risks of “going down the information hole”
 05:55 Why our brains weren’t designed for nonstop traumatic exposure
 06:40 Strategies for setting boundaries and knowing your limits

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