Diya had a habit of scrolling through social media in her free time in the office. She often did the same ritual at midnight. Now she was scrolling through the news of the train accident that took place in the neighbouring country. She could feel her heartbeat increase as she read the news. She could even feel the ache, even though none of it was her own. In today’s world, the global story fits in an individual’s palm, making it easier for an individual to stay updated, but also making them prone to traumas that they have never actually experienced. The mind absorbs sorrow, stress, trauma from miles away, even after distractions.
Read More: How to Stay Focused in a World Full of Distractions
What is Secondary Traumatic Stress?
Secondhand Trauma refers to emotional and physiological distress that arises from indirect exposure to traumatic events. It mainly occurs when an individual is listening, observing or is exposed to the traumatic story or experience of others. Earlier, the term was mainly reserved for the doctors, caregivers, therapists, counsellors or social workers, due to their constant exposure to victims. However, today, due to social media, news, etc., common people are exposed to the stories or experiences of victims, making them prone to secondary traumatic stress.
How does the media plays role in pushing secondary trauma?
Evidence shows that increased exposure to news coverage of large-scale traumatic events, such as natural disasters or terrorist attacks, is linked to symptoms of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress. (Holman, Garfin, & Silver, 2014; Pfefferbaum, Nitiéma, & Newman, 2021)This effect is not limited to those who experienced the event directly. The impact remains consistent across various forms of media, including print, radio, television, and social media.
As secondary sources, like social media, become more commonly used for news, young adults were found to engage with news content through social media more frequently than any other source during the early stages of the pandemic. Researches show that mood changes continued even after participants performed a distracting task after being exposed to news, indicating that the emotional effect of consuming news goes beyond just immediate reactions (Szabo & Hopkinson, 2007).
Read More: The Problematic Narrative of Trauma on Social Media
Biological response of the body
Consistent users of social platforms are more likely to encounter disturbing images, online harassment, or peer comparison. When an individual is exposed to graphic content, it activates the amygdala and stress response of the body, increasing hypervigilance and dysregulation. Hence at trigger response is roughly similar to the one activated when an individual is actually in danger. Similarly, if an individual is doomscrolling – i.e., compulsive consumption of social media, which rose during the COVID-19 pandemic- every other reel or video has different content, and hence triggers a different type of emotion.
Consistent change of emotion in a very short time often tires the brain, leading to exhaustion. This exhaustion further contributes to emotional burnout, hence indirectly fueling secondary stress. Constantly seeing upsetting images can disrupt the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis, which is responsible for managing the body’s stress hormone, cortisol. This disruption can cause problems with sleep, memory issues, and a less effective immune system.
Read More: How Online Trolling Can Be Dangerous for Mental Well-Being
How can Secondary traumatic stress (STS) affect an individual?
- Physical Symptoms: Individuals suffering from STS often are startled by loud noises, bright light, sudden change or movement. They are often hyperaroused and are often searching for risks. Researches show that individuals also show signs of physical tension like clenched jaw, muscle tension, tightness in the chest and insomnia.
- Cognitive Disturbances: An individual might have difficulty focusing on a task or conversation as the mind is in a constant state of arousal. Individual smart also show signs of PTSD with constant flashbacks of the graphics and images. A recent study involving adolescents found that indirect exposure to violent crises through social media can cause symptoms resembling Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) ( Kellerman, Hamilton, Selby, & Kleiman, 2022 ). They also experience a shift in their view of the world, affecting their social life.
- Emotional disturbances: Change in behaviour affects their social circle; these individuals might show irritation, snap at people, avoid them or show extremely rude behaviour in an attempt to distance themselves, which in the long run might lead to loneliness.
Strategies to Prevent Secondary Traumatic Stress
1. Prioritising text or audio media over video
Individuals should try shifting to audio or text media like newspapers or radios, as video content is more impactful because it directly affects emotions rather than logical thinking. When an individual reads an article, their prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for logical processing, has more time to analyse the information calmly and objectively. Avoiding video media also helps in reducing exposure to graphics and images.
2. Establishment of a Screen-free time zone
Individuals can set time zones in which they can avoid the screen, for example, avoid checking the news and social media for about 1 hour after waking up and 1 hour before going to sleep. This would help enhance one’s sleep cycle and keep the cortisol levels in check. Avoid checking phones during meals, exercise, walk or social gatherings – this will help reduce screen time along with frequent exposure to news, and establishing clear boundaries.
3. Focus on active consumption over passive consumption
Focus on reducing the scrolling on social media to get updated on the news. Open the desired news websites or channels to get updated. An individual should start the search with a specific question in mind, and once the answer is received, leave the site.
Read More: Algorithmic Addiction: Why You Can’t Stop Scrolling
Conclusion
In today’s era, it is important to stay informed, while overexposure often takes a toll on health. Individuals must decide what they actually want to see to reduce unwanted exposure and set firm boundaries. Individuals must aim for active consumption to avoid unnecessary hassles and to avoid overconsumption of news, which would reduce distress in the long run.
FAQs
1. How is this different from just being “sad” about the news?
Sadness or grief is an emotional response to a tragedy. Secondhand trauma is physiological as well as psychological; it involves the nervous system and body staying in a state of elevated cortisol and adrenaline long after the exposure is over.
2. Who is most at risk for this condition?
Individuals working in high-stress jobs with high exposure, like journalism, healthcare, and law enforcement. Also, highly empathetic people are more susceptible. Also in modern life, younger people who spend more time on algorithm-driven social media are at higher risk. Individuals with a history of personal trauma are more susceptible to STS.
3. Can children experience secondhand trauma from the news?
Yes, and often more intensely. Children lack the cognitive framework to process complex global events and are not experienced enough to understand many topics like death, etc. They may internalise the news as a direct threat to their own safety or the safety of their parents
References +
Holman EA, Garfin DR, Silver RC. The media’s role in broadcasting acute stress following the Boston Marathon bombings. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2014 Jan 07;111(1):93–8. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1316265110. https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.1316265110?url_ver=Z39.882003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%3dpubmed
Pfefferbaum B, Nitiéma P, Newman E. The association of mass trauma media contact with depression and anxiety: a meta-analytic review. J Affect Disord Rep. 2021 Jan;3:100063. doi: 10.1016/j.jadr.2020.100063.
Szabo A, Hopkinson KL. Negative psychological effects of watching the news on television: relaxation or another intervention may be needed to buffer them! Int J Behav Med. 2007 Jun;14(2):57–62. doi: 10.1007/bf03004169
Kellerman JK, Hamilton JL, Selby EA, Kleiman EM. The Mental Health Impact of Daily News Exposure During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Ecological Momentary Assessment Study. JMIR Ment Health. 2022 May 25;9(5):e36966. doi: 10.2196/36966. PMID: 35377320; PMCID: PMC9135112.
https://www.annabellepsychology.com/articles-and-guides/cope-with-traumatic-news?hl=te-IN
