Tough times taking a toll on you?

In recent months, people globally have been experiencing stress and despair due to the constant barrage of political tension, terrorist attacks, natural calamities, mass shootings, financial problems, sexual assault scandals, threats of nuclear war, etc. The resulting continuous exposure to bad news can take a toll on the brain and psychologists have coined a term for it — Disaster Fatigue. Also, don’t be surprised that this boils down to our excessive smartphone use.    

Recently, Dr Mary  McNaughton-Cassill, a psychology professor from the University of Texas, US, was quoted by The New York Times as saying, “We’re seeing more ‘disaster fatigue.’ In the digital age, where studies show some three out of four people check their smartphone before going to bed and shortly after waking up in the morning, it’s getting harder not to feel overwhelmed.” Dr Stephen Hinshaw, of the University of California Berkley added, “The barrage of ever-present ‘bad news’ — and, for young people, the barrage of social-media-related permanent records of negative social interchanges — is a factor.”

EXPERT SPEAK

So, does disaster management really exist? Continuous exposure to realities that exhibit hopelessness, concern and stress have an impact on the human psyche. Most often, these events are not directly in our control but result in what is called secondary trauma or vicarious trauma. This results in negatively ‘denting’ even the most optimistic individual, says psychiatrist and psychotherapist, Dr Anjali Chhabria. She adds, “Disaster fatigue may be explained as the ‘negative denting’ and the resulting ‘subsequent changes’ that take place as a result of consistent exposure to ‘indirect trauma’ first impacting the primary way of thinking and leading to other physical, mental, emotional and psychological changes.”

SYMPTOMS

Feelings of anxiety, excessive worry, inability to do any activity, feelings of helplessness, frequently looking for news updates regarding any disaster, crying, unable to control negative thoughts related to the events, disturbed sleep and appetite, lack of energy, social withdrawal are some of the symptoms which may be seen, says clinical psychologist and psychotherapist, tobacco treatment specialist, Mansi Hassan.

WHO ARE PRONE TO IT?

“The individual is an undeniable extension of the environment that he/she exists in and with the current trend/realities of the times, disaster fatigue is a prevailing reality, whether one is aware of it or not. I would say that I come across cases of disaster fatigue, in some form or the other on a daily basis,” says Dr Chhabria, adding that while it is difficult to generalise, individuals that seems to be most exposed to ‘disaster fatigue’ are those that seem most connected to social media as a regular way of life. In this electronic age, individuals who check their phones, Facebook, Twitter, etc last thing at night and first thing in the morning with checks all through the course of the day seem to be more impacted than others.

CASE IN POINT

Hassan recounts the case of one of her patients, Shreya Khanna (name changed), a 25-year-old came in for therapy with symptoms of anxiety. She felt overwhelmed whenever she would put on the television and see the news. The discomfort got to her to such a level that she refused to put on the TV. She felt life is precarious and started questioning her own existence. Her symptoms became worse when she started visualising her family members be a part of these disasters. She went through a bout of crying spells. Her motivation level had dropped and she was unable to go to work. She asked, “Why should I even get out of bed?”

COPING WITH IT

The most effective treatment in this condition is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). This therapy works with changing a person’s negative thoughts by the process of challenging, rationalising and creating possible positive outcomes of them. Relaxation and behavioural modification is also used along with CBT. Behaviour modification would involve avoiding constant exposure to news updates. And to create a positive behaviour which can be helpful for the individual in a crisis situation, informs Hassan.

HOW TO DEAL WITH IT

Dr Anjali Chhabria suggests:

• Identification of aspects that contribute negatively to oneself at a mind level is essential.
   
• Self-regulation and discipline when it comes to social media is important.
   
• A focus on self-care and mindfulness are critical factors. 
   
• Individuals may choose to get involved in causes that contribute to solutions at the micro level. 
   
• Exercise, meditation, music and other activities, too, help.