During a war, trauma is no longer limited to the battlefield. The violent and distressing videos in the social media can leave a lasting impression. That’s how the war videos on social media can trigger trauma.
How can possible psychological injuries be avoided, or at least limited?
The war in ukraine it is also a digital war. Journalists’ movements and reporting on the ground are limited, and access to most areas is restricted or impossible. Therefore, much of the information that comes out of Ukraine is the so-called user generated contentoo means of eyewitnesses.
The result is that a lot of harrowing material arrives on the screens of the users of the social media of all the world.
What does this mean for people who consume content about the war in Ukraine online? How can possible psychological injuries be avoided, or at least limited? How can users stay informed on the one hand, while protecting their mental health on the other?
secondary trauma
Secondary trauma refers to the distress or negative emotional effects resulting from secondhand exposure. In other words: the secondary trauma can occur when a person finds out about the traumatic experiences first-hand from another person, or is exposed to frightening or distressing material through images or video.
In particular, repeated exposure to disturbing content such as war videos carries the risk of negative consequences for the Mental Wellness. If possible, this should be avoided.
The study of the psychological effects of exposure to digital content distressing in the social media It is a relatively new field of research. The same applies to the study of effective countermeasures.
Although Dubberley’s research has focused on the secondary trauma or indirect in the journalistic and human rights context, some of his findings can also serve as advice for ordinary users of the social media who see content of the war in Ukraine.
Dubberly emphasizes: “Be honest with yourself. If you see something distressing that affects you, acknowledge it. Don’t sweep it under the rug or pretend it doesn’t affect you if it does.”
Everyone is different
It is important to emphasize that we are all different and that reactions vary in the face of the same or similar situations or exposures. In addition, much depends on the mood that prevails at the time of the exposition.
Someone hoping to counter potentially disturbing material you can raise your guard beforehand to prepare accordingly for whatever may appear on the screen.
Furthermore, each individual has different triggers. For some it is seeing explicit physical injuries, while for others it is the sad or desperate look of a child.
It is also important to take into account the personal situation. Have a personal connection with a event also plays a role. There is no particular universal technique or guideline that works for everyone in every type of environment. However, a series of measures and activities can help limit negative consequences.
Limit the negative impact on mental well-being
Be prepared to potentially encounter haunting stuff or distressing when scrolling through a news source is an important strategy. During a heavily documented war, a horrific war photo or video could be displayed on the screen at any time.
The power of sound should not be underestimated, and social media users are advised to turn off audio in their news feeds.
To those who are affected, either mentally or emotionally, they are urged to look for “unusual signs” (such as trouble sleeping, frequent nightmares, excessive alcohol or drug use, to name just a few) and to talk to others about their feelings. These can be family, friends or colleagues.
If these problems continue for longer periods, help should be sought. professionalif you haven’t already done so.
REMEMBER that wars produce a great amount of distress and traumanot only for Ukrainians, which are directly affected. While it is important to stay informed, users of the social media they must be aware of the potential risks that may result from exposure to disturbing digital material, wherever they are.
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