• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
BlackDoctor.org
Where Wellness & Culture Connect

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

  • Health Conditions
  • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
  • Longevity
  • Resource Centers
    • Clinical Trials Resource Center
    • Wellness on the Yard
    • Cancer Resource Center
    • Covid Resource Center
  • Find A Doctor
  • BDO TV
Home / Health Conditions / Mental Health / Don’t Repost That! 4 Dangers Of Seeing Disturbing Images Over Again

Don’t Repost That! 4 Dangers Of Seeing Disturbing Images Over Again

ThinkstockPhotos-536093067You’ve probably seen it, over and over and over again in your social media news feed and on TV. But do you realize just how that can affect your emotional state as well as someone else’s? From 24-hour cable news to YouTube and Twitter, today’s mass media can turn local disasters into international events within minutes, transmitting the impact of a disaster far beyond those who are directly exposed.

We’ve seen the horrible images of George Floyd and countless other Black Men being gunned down, including the most recent of Tyre Nichols, the 29-year-old who was brutally beaten by five police officers during a traffic stop in Tennessee. It was a gruesome video that detailed the beatdown of a young, black teacher.

And while tens of thousands of people directly experienced the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, millions more viewed the attacks and their aftermath via the media, turning the attacks into what researchers call a collective trauma.

Post-traumatic stress disorder specialists say that even limited viewing of such menacing and heinous violence could be psychologically harmful.

You May Also Like
View Our Resources To Better Understand How Clinical Trials May Help Advance Research

MUST READ: Is Social Media Hurting Your Sex Life?

Extensive exposure to 2014’s Boston Marathon bombing media coverage caused more acute stress in people watching on TV, online or listening to radio reports than in those experiencing the terrorist attack itself, researchers at UC Irvine have found.

Even the study authors who specialize in researching trauma impacts said they were startled by their findings: People engaged in six or more hours of bombing accounts — even without visuals –- were nine times more likely to report symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than the bombing victims.

E. Alison Holman, associate professor of nursing science at UC Irvine states “There is mounting evidence that live and video images of traumatic events can trigger flashbacks and encourage fear-conditioning. If repeatedly viewing traumatic images reactivates fear or threat responses in the brain and promotes rumination, there could be serious health consequences.”

You May Also Like
13 Signs You Need to See a Dermatologist

According to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, the four types of PTSD symptoms are:

1. Reliving the event (also called re-experiencing symptoms)

Memories of the traumatic event can come back at any time. You may feel the same fear and horror you did when the event took place. For example:
You may have nightmares.
You may feel like you are going through the event again. This is called a flashback.
You may see, hear, or smell something that causes you to relive the event. This is called a trigger. News reports, seeing an accident, or hearing a car backfire are examples of triggers.

2. Avoiding situations that remind you of the event

You may try to avoid situations or people that trigger memories of the traumatic event. You may even avoid talking or thinking about the event. For example:
You may avoid crowds, because they feel dangerous.
You may avoid driving if you were in a car accident or if your military convoy was bombed.
If you were in an earthquake, you may avoid watching movies about earthquakes.
You may keep very busy or avoid seeking help because it keeps you from having to think or talk about the event.

Continue Reading

The Latest In Mental Health

mental health crisis

7 Ways to Help Someone Through a Mental Health Crisis

According to the annual poll run by the American Psychology Association (APA), Americans are more and more concerned about their safety and the safety of their loved ones. It’s hard to ignore the ever-present news headlines that can add external read more about 7 Ways to Help Someone Through a Mental Health Crisis
stress

5 Ways to Change the Way You Think About Stress

Do you ever have trouble sleeping because you're worried about how all your daily worries affect your body and mind? We assure you that you are not alone. According to the CDC, more than half of Americans have difficulties sleeping read more about 5 Ways to Change the Way You Think About Stress
coping with loss

Coping With Loss On Mother’s Day

If you've lost your mother to either a sudden or a long-term illness or accident, your Mother's Day may be especially painful. Even if you lost your mother years ago, you may still struggle with depression, sadness, grief or despair. read more about Coping With Loss On Mother’s Day
finals week

5 Tips For Surviving Finals Week

College can create strenuous amounts of stress on students. This is due to busy schedules, heavy course loads and balancing their social life. However, one of the most stress-bearing times for students is finals week. As the fall semester comes read more about 5 Tips For Surviving Finals Week
stress diet

Is Stress Sabotaging Your Diet?

If you're having problems managing your diet, stress could be the culprit. Think about it. Your alarm is buzzing, breakfast is sizzling, and you’re trying to get the kids off to school — all while getting ready to go to read more about Is Stress Sabotaging Your Diet?
social anxiety benefits

6 Unexpected Benefits Of Having Social Anxiety

As surprising as it may sound, social anxiety may have certain advantages. Chronic mental illness may be awful. However, people with social anxiety tend to have similar behaviors and behavioral qualities that may be used to our advantage if we read more about 6 Unexpected Benefits Of Having Social Anxiety

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to our newsletter

Poll

Popular Posts

  • Lionel Richie Shares His Top 3 ‘Anti-Aging Secrets’Lionel Richie Shares His Top 3 ‘Anti-Aging Secrets’
  • Angela Bassett 7-Year Journey to Parenthood: Enjoy the JourneyAngela Bassett 7-Year Journey to Parenthood: Enjoy the Journey
  • YouTuber and Relationship ‘Expert’ Kevin Samuels Cause of Death RevealedYouTuber and Relationship 'Expert' Kevin Samuels Cause of Death Revealed
  • ‘COVID Toes’ Might Be a Sign You Had the Disease'COVID Toes' Might Be a Sign You Had the Disease
  • Football Legend & Coach Deion Sanders Has Toes AmputatedFootball Legend & Coach Deion Sanders Has Toes Amputated

Footer

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

BDO is the world’s largest and most comprehensive online health resource specifically targeted to African Americans. BDO understands that the uniqueness of Black culture - our heritage and our traditions - plays a role in our health. BDO gives you access to innovative new approaches to the health information you need in everyday language so you can break through the disparities, gain control and live your life to its fullest.

Connect With Us

Learn More About

  • Hepatitis C
  • Diabetes
  • Sickle Cell
  • Mental Health
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • BlackDoctor.org Advertising and Sponsorship Policy
  • Daily Vitamina
  • TBH

Copyright © 2023, BlackDoctor, Inc. All rights reserved.