News about the Russia-Ukraine war is bombarded. Is "war anxiety" causing mental illness?
The outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war has attracted attention in Taiwan. Could “war anxiety” cause psychological problems?
Russia launched war on Ukraine on February 24, attracting global attention. The outbreak of the war between Ukraine and Russia also brought Taiwan, which is also in the geopolitical war hotspot, into the international spotlight. The word “Taiwan” once became a hot keyword on social media. News media broadcast war scenes for days and days, which has also caused many people to feel uneasy, a phenomenon that scholars call “War Anxiety.”
War anxiety, also known as “nuclear anxiety”, was proposed by American anthropologist Margaret Mead during the Cold War and later developed and defined by American psychologist Michael D. Newcomb. Relevant studies have been accumulated for decades and have confirmed that nuclear anxiety will increase the risk of mental disorder syndrome among young people. In addition, the European Mental Health Agency (MHE) also recently stated that the Russia-Ukraine war may have an impact on growing children and adolescents during this period. Mental health, with “devastating” long-term consequences.
People with emotional problems themselves may need to pay more attention to the impact of “war anxiety” on the body and mind, especially those suffering from anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression. If they watch too many news scenes that cause discomfort, May cause symptoms to worsen. In addition, people nowadays are accustomed to staring at mobile phones or TVs at all times to seek a sense of stability and control. On the contrary, it is difficult to stabilize the mood and aggravate anxiety problems.
Major social events trigger information anxiety: 4 tips to ease the psychological impact
Just like the level three alert from May to July last year, Taiwanese people are shrouded in panic about the spread of the new coronavirus. People are closely following the number of confirmed cases and deaths, and is eager to absorb all the information about the epidemic in an instant, which can easily turn into “information anxiety.” Today, the overwhelming news about the Russia-Ukraine war may also lead to the outbreak of information anxiety. How to deal with the psychological impact of a major news event like war?
Just pay attention to the first 30 minutes of the news: news stations use ratings as their main source of income, so it is inevitable that their remarks will be biased and their headlines sensational. If watching the news has caused panic and uneasiness, it is recommended to watch the first 30 minutes of the noon or evening news and skip the rest.
To get relevant information, rely on trusted news sources: In the era of online media, “fake news” is everywhere, and it is often difficult to tell whether the content forwarded by communication software is true or false. It is recommended to pay attention to the content of official press releases or choose trustworthy media sources; do not trust the content forwarded by family and friend groups or one-sided speculations on political commentary programs.
Accept inner uncertainty: It is normal to feel fearful and uneasy during war. At this time, you should focus on “things you can control”, pay attention to your mental state at all times, and practice accepting uneasy emotions. Sitting and meditating can help relieve stress, and measures such as exercise and social interaction can also shift focus.
Take care of yourself and ask for help at any time: During times of war or epidemic, emotional connections with family and friends are even more important. Sharing inner feelings in a timely manner is an important way for humans to relieve stress. If war news has seriously affected daily life, you should also seek professional assistance such as a psychiatrist or psychological counselor.
source:
Mental health consequences of war: a brief review of research findings
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