Anxiety from watching the news

Russo21 · Post by **Russo21** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 3:20 am

Hey everyone,

I was wondering if anyone can relate to this. I realized that I really shouldn't watch the news or read news stories online anymore. All it seems to do is fuel my anxiety and make it worse. This past week I have been reading the news, and saw stories about the "Craigslist Killer" and that man in Long Island who killed himself and his family. When I was reading these stories I began to overanalyze and think lots of "what ifs". They seemed like such normal people, what made them do that? What if I become like them? I had a pretty bad panic attack this morning after reading one of these news stories. I now realize maybe I just have to stay away from these stories. I also have to realize that I am a loving, caring person who is in control of my life and my actions. I am not those people in the news stories. Can anyone relate to this?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 5:39 am

My name is kimberly I find it very difficult to watch the news because of these same reasons. You are not the only one.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 9:23 am

Oh boy can I relate I have been that way for years when I had my first really bad panic attack I was watching the news some thing was said about a child and I lost it. I have a really hard time hearing any thing bad happening to childern of any age I just can't handle it. Also the news is so negative that it's hard for folks that have this condition to view the new, I can't watch scary movies or violent movies or even be in same room even if I and not watching them, I will have a panic attack just hearing them. So I suggest that you don't subject your self to any thing that makes you uncomfortable unless you have learned the skills to be able to deal with them. I have not got to that stage in the program as of yet and honestly I don't know if I ever will, I hope so. Thanks so sharing your story you are not alone my new friend.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 6:04 am

Join the "scared of news" club. The same thing happens to me - I tell ya, I even removed my bookmarks online for local news...sticking to sports and online games.

The funny thing is, my only sports page was ESPN and they ran a story about former football player committing suicide, and I freaked!! I stopped going to ESPN!!!

What you have to realize is that we're sensitive people, and things like this can bother us - not all the time, but if we're under some kind of stress and we're sensitized at the moment, it can get to us.

One thing I've done is shut off the news. Simple? Yes. Easy to do? No freaking way!! Just like losing weight, the ideas are simple, eat less and exercise, but can we find those things easy to do?

BUT - like ANYTHING in life, you can practice it. And make it a habit. And learn to turn it off and do something else. Know what? In the past, I'd google those stories you posted about (I have no idea about the Long Island thing, and heard briefly about the Craigslist killer, but always turned the channel when it came up), which would fuel my fire and make me freak even more. But with constant practice, I can turn it off now.

Its good to be up to date on whats going on in the world, but with todays information overload, sometimes too much can be a bad thing. I've actually started playing several online games that occupy my mind and distract me away from news searching - as well as getting some goofy games for my Playstation and Wii consoles.

A little personal story here: I have a brother who has a ton of free time on his hands. I ask him what he does with all his free time...I know if I had tons of time, I'd maybe be stuck to the internet...know what he told me? He sits and watches Three Stooges movies. He watches stuff that makes him laugh, has no idea whats going on in the world and likes it that way. Never seen him sad or anxious, either.

natalief · Post by **natalief** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 2:47 am

Oh no you are by far not the only one!!! I have been that way. Everytime I see something I think what if what if. I just wont watch it anymore.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon May 04, 2009 10:14 am

You are not alone!!! With me however, I start getting anxious about news stories that cover health related topics. Any "trigger" words like cancer, tumor, heart attack, swine flu, etc. get me REALLY anxious! I try to keep myself busy with other things instead of watching or listening to the news. I like to put on some uplifting music and clean the house or I'll read from the Bible, or call a friend. Even opening a window or going outside for some sunshine and fresh air helps tremendously. It's hard not to watch/listen to the news, especially when we (the anxious community) feel we can control our situation by being in the know. Try to occupy your mind with more positive thoughts and hopefully you'll be more calm and at peace. Take care!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon May 04, 2009 2:46 pm

You are not alone...... My friend. I too freaked out when i heard about a suicide or someone just loosing it and killing students in schools or people hurting or molesting kids. i have 2 daughters and when i hear of these negative things on the news or even people talking about it i tend to start the what if's thoughts. i start OMG what if i do the same thing or what if i get that same thoughts...etc. so, i stopped listening to the news, I dont read the news paper or any magazine that has bad news. When someone wants to talk to me about whats happening in the world i tell them i'm not interested. I dont need to know whats happening. Thank God for the program that i can stop my what if thinking and go on with my day. I'm glad that you wrote that u are in control of yourself because we r!.....

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue May 05, 2009 3:40 am

You guys have made me feel so much better!!!!! Thank you. You start to believe there must be something wrong for thinking all the what if's.

Thanks!!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri May 22, 2009 4:49 am

I have not watched the news in 10 years!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri May 22, 2009 5:48 am

I watched the news for awhile this year and I believe that is one of the things that lead to my latest setback. I'm not watching it any more right now. It's all hype and scare tactics anyway and half of it isn't even truthful. Who needs it?

I got really caught up earlier this year in worrying about the economy, then later about the swine flu. Hey. . .I have enough to deal with in my own little world, I can't take the world's problems on too!