CNN (8/7, Willingham) reports that “Dr. Pam Ramsden, a lecturer in psychology at the University of Bradford in the UK, has studied the psychological effects of consuming negative news from social media.” She “says this vicarious trauma affects a portion of the viewing public and though it is not a specific diagnosis, she has seen patterns similar to those that plague first responders.” Ramsden said, “Some individuals are left with post-traumatic stress and must be professionally treated, others are affected a short time with acute stress disorder.” Ali Dixon, a counselor who practices at the Anxiety & Stress Management Institute in Atlanta, “says she has had several clients express increased anxiety and concern because of recent news events” and “says the best way to cope with this anxiety is to pull away.”
Related Links:
— “When bad news gets to be too much, “AJ Willingham, CNN, August 07, 2019