When doom scrolling leads to actual harm

When doom scrolling leads to actual harm

Ever felt like your social media feed is a relentless stream of distressing news? In this episode of 'All In The Mind', host Sana Khadar dives into the heavy topic of vicarious trauma, especially in the context of the ongoing violence in Gaza. With social media providing unfiltered, raw glimpses into war zones, the emotional toll on viewers can be profound. The episode features insights from Professor Kim Felmingham, Chair of Clinical Psychology at the University of Melbourne, and Dr.

Arash Javanbakt, a psychiatrist specialising in trauma. They explore how constant exposure to graphic content can lead to symptoms similar to PTSD, even if you're miles away from the actual events. The conversation touches on the history of vicarious trauma, its impact on first responders, and how social media amplifies these effects. They also discuss how to identify signs of vicarious trauma in yourself and ways to manage your social media consumption to protect your mental health.

It's a crucial listen for anyone feeling overwhelmed by the endless scroll of bad news. Are you mindful of how much distressing content you consume online?