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I feel the news is making me go mad

2 replies

Bathsheba1789 · 29/11/2023 19:33

Hi everyone, looking for advice.
I think I have a tendency towards depression/anxiety - was on ADs with PND a few years ago, off them now but feel very low and worried at times. Cutting out alcohol has helped a lot.
Recently I have become very upset by everything that is going on in the news about the Middle East and the numbers of people, especially children, who are dying. (By the way I’m not looking for people to comment on the rights/wrongs of the conflict.)
In my job I need to keep vaguely up to date with the news. I went on Twitter a few weeks ago, just to look at what some of the politicians were saying about it all. I hardly ever go on Twitter and was a bit naive. I scrolled down to some of the comments and saw some absolutely awful photos and videos of dead/seriously injured children. I had never seen anything like that, and it really upset me.
Since then I can’t stop checking the news. I am a bit embarrassed to admit this. I am always looking for good news. That somehow the fighting is over. That no more children are going to die. I can feel myself getting incredibly anxious, and am finding it really hard to concentrate.
i know there is nothing I can do and I know it is ridiculous for me to be sad in my place of relative comfort, but I genuinely feel I am going a bit mad. It’s making me a bit of a rubbish mum - am getting short tempered and grumpy, and also my husband has commented I’m a bit grumpy recently, which I know I am. Any advice?

OP posts:
Lamelie · 29/11/2023 19:46
Flowers I think it’s driving us all a little mad. Stay away from Twitter. Pray and be kind to those around you. Can you talk to your DH. My family and veering between very gentle teasing that I feel so personally broken (I’m not wrong to feel that way, but it hasn’t personally impacted me) and being practically supportive and distracting. Take care Flowers
Isthisexpected · 29/11/2023 19:46

I believe research has shown that news consumption via social media rather than a newspaper can have a detrimental effect on MH. I'd subscribe to positive news for a season and only watch the morning news because it's less likely to stay with you than the later news when you're trying to wind down.

I have shed tears for the baby and sibling and mother referenced in the news this evening. I won't say anymore but just know I feel it too.

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