War in the Middle East: why are we addicted to morbid news? A psychologist answers us.
While the first French soldier has been killed in the war in the Middle East, and all eyes are now on the evolution of the conflict in Lebanon, what can we do when we remain hung up on the news, unable to break away from it? Pascal Anger, clinical psychologist, gives us some keys to learning how to let go.
War-related news: what does this desire to always be in the know reveal?
For several weeks, many French people have become addicted to their radio. At issue: morbid news, punctuated by drones, missiles and civilian losses… But how can we explain, precisely, this dark dependence?
For Pascal Anger, this almost visceral need to read bad news can be explained quite simply.
Faced with dramatic events, “often arises the need to master, to control, to always know more, particularly when important things are happening in the world, for example if we have loved ones in a war zone”, he admits.
This desire to always be in the know also reflects a need for reassurance: we turn on our radio, day or night, at work or on vacation, so as not to miss anything. “But this reflex often hides a great fragility. In a certain way, it can resemble the addict’s relationship with his substance, constantly waiting for news,” analyzes the psychologist. Without information, we quickly feel a “lack”… and we break down again.
The problem ? Being constantly fed morbid news does not help us to put things into perspective or take a step back, on the contrary: it only amplifies our anxiety. “This situation does not really allow us to draw the lessons we would like,” confirms Pascal Anger. Be careful not to be “trapped” by these impulses.
What is the right attitude to adopt, ultimately?
We have the right not to be aware of all the (bad) news. “It is important to step back from the world’s emergencies and ask ourselves what is really essential for us and our lives. Certain television channels or radio stations know very well how to stimulate our need to always know more,” warns Pascal Anger.
In other words, this is about putting an end to our voyeuristic side – unfortunately learning that this or that person has died on the other side of the world will in no way relieve the bereaved family.
“Try to rethink current events, keep a critical mind and not let images or thoughts impose on you – because everything around us nourishes us. In other words, if remaining curious is a good thing, maintaining the ability to take a step back is just as good,” advises the practitioner.
Also try to understand this form of addiction: is there a void in our current life? Or are we shown the same images, the same information too often? “Becoming aware of all this can help us try to understand the world differently,” concludes the psychologist.
Faced with the continuous flow of information, learning to switch off to preserve your mental health therefore remains important. Because understanding the world sometimes requires moving away from it a little.