When disaster travels through screens: Coping with post-traumatic stress
Summary
Repeated exposure to flood and disaster coverage can trigger anxiety, poor sleep, and post-traumatic stress symptoms even in people far from the disaster zone. The article urges families, newsrooms, and responders to limit graphic footage, protect privacy, and support emotional recovery.
Key Points
- Constant viewing of disaster videos and social media updates can cause distress, sleep problems, fear, and post-traumatic stress symptoms even without physical exposure to the event.
- Children, older adults, and working adults may all react differently to repeated disaster coverage and need age-appropriate support, routine, and reliable updates.
- People at disaster sites and responders also need rest, manageable shifts, and confidential access to care.
- Newsrooms should verify casualty figures, respect privacy, and avoid repeatedly showing bodies or private grief.
