News got you down?

Mackenzie Carpenter says in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that Desperation, death make compelling television. The part of the story that I want to talk about is right here:

Indeed, many television viewers are experiencing what media psychologist Stuart Fischoff describes as classic addiction symptoms.

"Visual imagery involves a much more primitive part of our brain, a monitoring system to sense danger," Fischoff said. "The trouble with this story is that it's not in a resolution stage yet, things are just getting worse. Usually, when we're anxious, we seek information to reduce anxiety, but in this case, we're just increasing it."

Disaster coverage "feeds a demographic of grief junkies, who are tapping away at the remote control like a rat tapping for crack pellets," added Matthew Felling, media director at the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Media and Public Affairs. "Not only does misery love company, it also makes for compelling television."

After Sept 11, 2001, I found myself behaving like one of those rats tapping on the remote. I also found myself profoundly affected by the stream of depressing news. I started to feel anxiety. I found that certain music about darker and depressing themes could put me over the edge and I'd have to shut it off. It got to the point where I had to look away when the they showed the planes, buildings and collapse.

So, what do you do if you find the news getting you down, depressed, or anxious? American Red Cross has advice.

I have not turned on TV once since the hurricane hit. Part of it is that I've been keeping myself really busy, and the other part is a conscious effort to stay away because I know how it can affect me. I have been keeping up with the news on the blogs though — It's less graphic, less repetitive, less hyped, more interesting and hyperlinked to related stories. I'm getting more information in a shorter amount of time. Rather than being isolated, watching TV, I'm actually discussing the blog reporting via email with fellow blog readers. The conversation with others is helpful.

Hat Tip: I have to give the credit for showing me those three paragraphs to Ambra Nykol. Thanks!