Is anyone else struggling after going down Epstein files rabbit hole

[Strugglingafterseeing]

I feel so upset and disturbed. I didn't want to see and read the things I have but I just couldn't look away from the horror. I think part of me was hoping to come across something that says it's all fake news. It's all exaggerated and made up. But it isn't is it? It's probably not even the half of it.

Perhaps very naively, I thought the files "just" involved girls of 14/15 being trafficked among all the other corruption. I had no idea how much more there was. The horrors that have come to pass and no doubt are still are still happening while these monsters remain shielded by their money and power.

Is anyone else really struggling with what they've seen and learnt over the last few days? And any advice to try and move forwards now, because ultimately I can't change this and my mental health was already fragile (thanks menopause). I need to keep on going for my own DC. I'm angry and so, so sad that humans are capable of this.

My Instagram is meant to be funny reels about dogs and menopause but now I'm being fed more and more about Epstein. I know it's the algorithm effect because I've watched similar content but now I need it to stop. I've logged out for the time being. Might not go back. I don't think our brains are meant to able to deal with all this.

Those poor babies. How on earth can this be real

This is a really good YouTube channel. I loved the old episodes of Jam and Jerusalem with Jennifer Saunders and friends.
https://youtube.com/@forgotten-british-tv?si=ZX8wYxcHHIc2_IXE

Are good men the exception to the rule? I think the issue is that society venerates massive egos, money and power, so we only get to hear about rich and famous men, who are far more likely to be abusive because they have that ruthless streak that got them to the top.

If we suspected overblown egos and thirst for fame/money/power as being signs of psychopathy instead of thinking they are superstar qualities, and if instead we admired and upheld unassuming men who contribute positively to the world, we might have a more balanced view of men.

Loads of lovely men are pottering around in the world, being kind to animals, supporting their families and communities, working long hours to develop medical breakthroughs, encouraging pupils through exams etc etc. They just don't thump their own chests, so no one notices.

I've been feeling this way too and I haven't even seen that much about it, it's the scale of the network and how other powerful men just looked the other way that I find so upsetting.

However, you need to be so careful with what you trust online these days. It's really easy for people to fake images or create fake documents. You also don't know what intentions these users have by sharing fake content. The only way to know if information is real is by reading a reputable news website.

I wouldn't believe most of what appears on Instagram.
There's a lot of truth and fiction out there trying to grab people's attention as clicks are how they make money. They really don't care what makes you click on an image or story so long as you do!

The way algorithms are designed is to send more and more of the same type of articles that you initially click on, so the more of these you read, the more articles of a similar nature will appear in ads looking to grab your attention.

This is one reason why Americans have been so polarised over the past 20 years. It's like living in a virtual echo chamber of bad news or articles confirming a bias.

Focus on reliable established news outlets that have to comply with the law.

Also, try looking for good news stories - if everyone did this it could change the internet.

I was blown away by the sheer human determination of the 13 year-old boy in Australia who swam for 4 hours in a rough sea to save his mum and two siblings.

This story shows the power of love.
When a 13 year-old boy can do something so superhuman and incredible it restores your faith in humanity.

I am not hunting either thanks. I am also a CSA survivor so have to be careful what I choose to look at.

But I do like to try to understand the truth and not be blind to it. Isn't that how perpertrators get away with it? And as I said there is limited information in our mainstream media about this and overall what is happening in America. But thanks for your insightful post.

Some people will post bullshit because they are trolls. Some people will use AI to fake images or video to drive traffic to make money. And some people will intentional post unbelievable things to make people question the veracity of genuine material.

Also remember that there was an FBI tips line and all reports received on that tip line are recorded in the files. Not all of those tips were considered credible enough to warrant investigation. The reasons for doubting the credibility of some claims are detailed in the files.

This is the primary source for all reputable news agencies.

https://www.justice.gov/epstein

Stop using SM as your news source unless you are willing to cross reference with the primary source.

On instagram, if you go into settings and then content preferences, you can ‘reset suggested content’.

You can in the same place turn off suggestions of political content, as well as updating your algorithm and filtering out certain words or hashtags.

Spending some time doing this should help reduce the amount of that content you’re being served.

Hope this helps! I’ve gone down similar rabbit holes before.

Yes. You're not alone. It's so much worse than I even imagined it would be. How there aren't scores of arrests being made, I don't know.

I've barely been reading into the Epstein files and yet it's infiltrated my dreams, so can understand what you mean OP.

I think for me, the most horrifying bit is how this sordid guild of pedophiles managed to infiltrate power structures globally. The idea of Bill Gates (and similar) being involved when they also were so involved in charity work brings Jimmy Saville vibes to mind, and it's hard not to imagine that charities may have been an avenue for trafficking adults and children (e.g. how people were sexually assaulted in the Haitian Oxfam scandal).

The more you pull the thread and think of the implications, the more horrifying it becomes

Thank you to those who have posted genuine advice and understanding and I'm so sorry to those who have been through awful things in their lives. Hearing about this sort of thing in the news must be 1000 times harder.

FWIW, I've just been back on Instagram and had a play around with the settings...you can add key words and phrases that you don't want to be shown, block seeing reels from any other user etc. Add topics you don't want to see. Just tap the three little dots and there you will find "manage content preferences" and "see your algorithm". I realise most people might already know about this but I've never had any reason to need it before, as I've only ever seen light hearted content on the app until now. So it might be helpful to others to know you can have some control over it.

Yes it's the sheer enormity of it which is almost as disturbing as the level of crimes committed.

Jennifer Saunders enjoys foxhunting, she’s not someone I’d go to for comforting viewing. She makes me grimace.

All I will say is if something is not from the DOJ and not in reputable media, then treat with extreme caution.

I am sorry that you suffered CSA and hope you are taking care of yourself.

It’s horrible and deeply disturbing @Strugglingafterseeing . I agree, limit your exposure to it, some is true, some is fake. It’s only a part of our world my lovely, and a part we have little control over. Focus on loving your family, keeping them close, and if it helps pray for the innocent victims. Look after yourself, you focus on your own circle, I’m sure you’re surrounded by love. 💐

Umm - I think the mainstream media is limiting itself to what is in the actual Epstein files, rather than what has been invented by some (additional) sicko

I am also finding it all so upsetting. I clicked on one post about it the other day and now it's all I'm seeing on my IG no matter how far I scroll. It's horrendous and makes me angry and upset in equal measure. Some of it has had me in tears, some mad me feel physically sick. I'm finding it's really getting to me to be honest. I'll have to have a look at the settings as well and try to search for nice lightheaded things and see if it changes my algorithm.
I will never ever understand how anyone can be so evil 😢

Meant light hearted, not light headed

The mainstream media is the reason this went on for so long. Anyone that spoke out about it went hugely ignored until it became too big a story to hide.

Thank you, I hope others feeling in the same boat read your kind post

'How do we move forward'
we stand in front of a large mirror and say to ourselves very firmly
" These events are horrendous but not a single tiny part of any of them happened to me and including myself in the upset of people I do not know is equivalent to being one of those nauseating 'grief thieves ' that pop up on Facebook.

Really? You don't ever get upset about anything unless it involves you?

if you need to read the files the check out the actual files on the FBI website.
I’ve had a brief look and I won’t again. All these people saying things aren‘t true and are manipulated read the actual files. It’s fucked up.
I’m sorry OP. I understand.

Yes, it’s disgusting as I expected. It isn’t easy for normal people to understand. How can one couple influence so many people?? They were everywhere. In the Palace, on the side of the stage watching the Rolling stones? They were such a depraved powerful team, almost like they were trained from a young age for this. It wouldn’t surprise me.

Being upset at things is not the same as using phrases like ' how do we move forward '. My SIL weeps and wails about things, did the adding the French flag to her Facebook profile after the Bataclan shooting, blethered on about 'we are all Paris' . Its just virtue signalling , indulgent twaddle. "Maybe you could pray for them?" Tricky given that , apart from Virginia Guiffre, I bet you can't name a single other one.

Yes I am fairly confident what I've seen is the truth unfortunately. It's depraved.