To ask how you forget all the bad things you hear about?

[fairybeagle]

Not really an AIBU I suppose but I just wonder if I'm normal? I hear stories of horrible things happening, especially child abuse, and I just can't get it out of my head for ages and it makes me feel really awful for a prolonged amount of time.
Does this happen to anyone else and if so how do you make yourself stop thinking about it?

I have stopped reading the news for this very reason. It’s awful and depressing- especially when it’s about kids

It's like the elephant in the room. If you try and block it out, it gets bigger. Some things have to be confronted (think Harry Potter and the wardrobe scene when they confronted their fears) and worked through. You can feel stronger as a result. This isn't random advice, it's just what I do, as I know how you feel. Have a look at CBT type self help, I've found it really useful. Hugs, though, as I know what you mean. And @SugarNyx - you're right, don't listen to the news!!

I have had to stop reading the news for the most part. I’m still kept in the loop about the most important things (usually from DP) but I can’t bring myself to read it anymore. It’s always so negative and gloomy, some stories distress me and ramp up my anxiety. It’s not worthwhile.

I think it is normal and it shows your an empathetic human. But I find it hard to control my thinking when I hear certain stories so I stopped listening to the news as no good can come of it

Sounds like you're an empath

I’ve also stopped reading the news for this reason. Certain things I’ve read even 10+ years ago still haunt me if I let myself think about them.

I just try to block it out & think that whatever was happening to the victim has ended now. That’s the best I’ve come up with.

It’s hard though. I think it just shows that you care

I seek out positive, live affirming news or stories to balance them out and remember there is also much good in the world

Sounds like you're an empath

OP, ignore Gwyneth Paltrow. There's no such thing as 'empaths'.

Since having my son, I get very upset and invested in stories of child abuse. I think it's something that just comes with the territory. If you really struggle to push things away from your own life, then it could be a sign of anxiety or depression.

Bad things happen in life. Keeping that in perspective can be hard sometimes.

Thank you all. Some really helpful suggestions and also it's good to know I'm alone in feeling this way, makes me feel like less of a weirdo.
I think I'll take the advice of not looking at the news. I also find social media (mainly Facebook) ends up exposing some depressing content so maybe I'll give that a break too.
I had thought about CBT so I might have another look.
@codemonkey I like that, it made me feel calm to read it so I think I might take it as a bit of a mantra.

Oh also meant to say, it definitely got worse for me as well after I had my son.

Saving this thread to come back to when I feel a bit overwhelmed or alone. Thanks again ladies.

It’s hard out there, I also think now in the age of a constant news cycle and the many more ways we hear about news (24 hour dedicated tv channels, social media, news websites, blogs, news alerts on smartphones) means that it’s harder to escape the nasty stories. The media are also shrewdly aware that tragic/shocking stories get more hits so they push those to the forefront.

Be kind to yourself, it’s ok to take a break from the news and tune it out.

I agree that managing your intake of news is important - it's important to know what's going on but different ways of taking in the information can be easier than others. I basically never watch or listen to the news because I don't manage what I hear and it sticks with me more, whereas reading news is more controllable. Avoiding it in the evening may also help.

Just a thought but are you getting a good night's sleep? As I understand it sleep is really important in helping us process the information we've received during the day, so disturbed sleep, particularly in the second half of the night, can make us more anxious and unable to stop thinking about things that upset us. It's possible that sleep deprivation was one reason your mental health might have deteriorated since becoming a mother.

Haha laughing at being called Gwyneth Paltrow. There are actually people whose mirror neuron systems are more sensitive than other peoples'. Call them what you want, I call them empaths.