Struggling with all the news in the world

[Lanzy]

I had a baby 7 weeks ago, I have history of Autism and anxiety. Prior to pregnancy tried to tell psychiatrist I struggle with obsessive thoughts but he brushed it off as my Autism. I’d say since the birth I’ve been happier, distracted and my world has changed for the better. Though with that I have to admit I constantly think about the future with a newborn having my own and wanting to protect her. Scared of the world.

Lately whenever I have been on TikTok or Twitter I just keep seeing about
Climate change - Floods, fires
Paranormal
Earthquake in Turkey
Ohio train derailing and apparently more - people saying it’s war - and how more are happening with these toxic spills
Bird flu
War related stuff
UFOs and unidentified objects that USA are shooting down
balloons in sky
china vs etc etc
Food shortages - People stocking up on food and telling how to prepare for stocking on food and other stuff

I’ve found it extremely difficult as prior my timeline was just pregnancy but now it’s all this and each time I’m now worrying constantly. I know it’s not healthy but it seems all these videos are getting thousands of likes and it’s not just one video where I can reassure myself it’s just rubbish, it’s every single video of all this. I now worry as people keep saying the world is ending.
It’s bad and I feel like saying to psychiatrist I’m struggling with all this - yet he previously in past wasn’t interested. I don’t even know what would help all this? Am I being over top. My hormones and lack of sleep doesn’t help, yet trying to get sleep currently with reflux baby and partner who works a lot is not happening…

I do not have autism yet the daily negativity in the news can be too much sometimes.It worries for my grown children just starting out in the world. So I limit what I see,and so can you. Take charge of what you bring into your life and homei.MN is the only type of sm I have,I refuse to put myself through the stuff that is on sm.I read whatever and however much news etc I choose.I know obsessive thoughts are so real and your Dr needs to stop dismissing you when you bring it up.Although my kids are 23,20 and 18,I'll never forget the hormones and lack of sleep.Those both will get better,I promise!
All the luck to you!

Congratulations on your pregnancy. When I am feeling vulnerable mentally or even just having a hard time, I avoid the news actively. I cannot change most of the things in it, and it just increases my anxiety and I end up catastrophising. Can you find something else to watch during the time you would be on social media or watching the news? I have a favourite TV show which is very harmless and I watch that, I also read books that are non-threatening on less difficult topics during that time. I can go back to watching the news, but just after having a baby is a difficult time I found mentally so if you can be kind to yourself and step away from all the doom and gloom, it might help.
I would mention it to the psychiatrist as well just to fill in what's going on for you right now.

I also saw your bit about worrying the world is ending, I had a similar worry and it was a sign I was mentally in a bad place. I would chat with your health visitor and your psychiatrist when you get a chance. It's not that worrying is abnormal, I think it's more abnormal if you fixate on it and start to believe it very actively, that was my problem anyway. Good luck with your lovely little baby!