Is anyone else panicking about the world news?

[Cannottakethis]

I've never been one to watch the news, however I've been tuning in more often as I feel like some pivotal, historic events of biblical proportions are going on right now. However, some of the things going on with things in the US and across the world; violence, terrorism, riots and the threat of war....none of which are triggers except for watching the actual violence; I'm getting major worry thoughts all the time that there will be a war or some other catastrophe, which segues into losing my husband, my cats, being alone, being abandoned, trying to imagine my life without him....until I go into full anxiety/panic crying hyperventilating, the whole thing.

is this just me?

 

[Ronin]

some pivotal, historic events of biblical proportions are going on right now.

Not really; the world just had the same problems with strife & people being dipshits to each other, as they have now.

And last I checked for people of faith? The Bible's talking about 'no matter what is going on, you'll get through it, don't give up your inner resources and being a good person to it, just because there's a LOT of evil around, doesn't mean it's WINNING.'

 

[Deleted member 37474]

My T very firmly told me to limit my news intake. I had just been through a hurricane, walked into therapy and broke down about everything. I have stopped watching the news ever since the election stuff ended unfavorably. Also, since ptsd. It just causes too much anxiety. But then I become shocked when I hear stuff. Or watch a clip online. I don't know how to balance it at all.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

I've never been one to watch the news, however I've been tuning in more often

I have actually had to stay away from the sensationalism of the new events taking place on the planet. I agree with @Ronin In what he shared. I literally had to walk and stay away from the news to keep my sanity.

I know for a fact that there are so many good things going on in this world as well. But ratings is the name of the game nowadays and it is all about hysteria in my mind. I do not need that in my life, it is hard enough. No it is not just you appalled at the things going on.

However I think that your fears on based on the fears of the media is trying to force on people. Not much actual truth out there anymore.

 

[Tornadic Thoughts]

I used to, because fear is all I ever grew up knowing, based on the behaviors of the adults in my life, until I realized the fear is what many feed on.

Now I refuse to feed them my energies and try to turn it all inward and process it as there simply being nothing new under the sun (similar to what @Ronin mentioned, and go about my days as best I can regarding my own self-care.

If I don't stay on top of my own care, I'll never be of any substantial help to others on a good day, much less a "natural" disaster duration.

By choosing the self-care over the fear, I'm hoping when/if the shit does hit the fan in my immediate space, I can hopefully be in a heart/mind space that allows for healthy action.

I also eventually realized most news is being delivered through entertainment industry filters, so it's hard to expect anything less than the heavy fear-based headlines that sell more publications and create more "click" bait to increase their numbers.

If they ever start reporting actual factual happenings along with the actual causes of said happenings, I may decide to partake once again, but I don't see that happening anytime soon.

 

[EveHarrington]

Stop watching and reading the news?

The world isn't going to end if I don't know about current events. I spent a few years in the dark. And yes there were a few times I looked dumb in conversations, it was a small price to pay for a lot less anxiety.

And if the world is going to end and I am going to die? At least I get to be happy til the bitter end while everyone else is in a tizzy.

 

[Deleted member 43454]

The news machine is nothing but perpetuated drama, misfortune, death and shock value.
Turn it off. Any conversations you're having with others about the tell-lie-vision aren't that bright to begin with.
Whether that be sports, the Kardashians, or the flippin reality TV b.s.

Whatever happens, happens. Worrying about it isn't going to change a thing. Focus on your breathing.
Don't fear the reaper. Nobody gets out alive. :)

 

[dulcia]

I've tried to become a little more prepared due to everything that has been going on recently -- went to a shooting range with a good friend to learn how to handle a gun if I ever need to, make sure my portable file cabinet has updated copies of all of my important papers, checking that the cages for my animals are still in good shape and easy to grab at a moment's notice, refreshing the supplies in my first aid kit, adding a supply of water bottles to my vehicle. Little, reasonable things that I can do to help ease my mind and that aren't over-obsessive or over the top.

 

[The Albatross]

Not panicking no, but I damn sure have been hopping mad.

 

[Upside Down Eagle]

Not really; the world just had the same problems with strife & people being dipshits to each other, as they have now.

Same here. I believe that this kind of stuff has always been going on. We´re globalized now, all in contact with each other, and we know what goes on in other parts of the world. International meddling on foreign affairs has done more harm than good, not just now but modern times in general.

News is politicized. I am not saying that it is necessarily untrue, but very few news channels offer any "objective news" in my opinion, because even if you are just making a selection (so we show this, and not this other thing), you are not being objective. This results in us only hearing particular stories and not others. Also, these stories we hear are most often not the positive ones.

There are good sources out there that offer news while not balancing on the "we´re all going to die soon" rhetoric. You might want to listen to those, rather than TV. Oh, and wholeheartedly agree with @Dr.Knowbuddy. Don´t forget to breathe ;)

 

[Mach123]

They are trying to get you going on purpose. (aka intentional triggers) Don't fall for it. I went years and years not watching TV or news or anything. Don't worry if something major happens you'll find out soon enough. Bad news travels fast. All that time I never missed anything. And really what can you do about it? Worry yourself sick. Anything else? Probably not. If you can do something do it by all means. Don't sit in front of that stuff and let them torture you though, it's not worth it. : )

 

[Chitoshi]

I've never been one to watch the news, however I've been tuning in more often as I feel like som...

Nope, not just you. I don't watch the news much because it makes me really anxious.