What’s informally known as “headline stress disorder” is now affecting millions of people and causing the rates of anxiety and substance abuse relapse to spike

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES, September 7, 2022 /EINPresswire.com/ -- A quick glance at APA’s Stress in America™ Survey will show that stress levels across the nations are soaring to an all-time high. The connection between high stress levels and high rates of anxiety and substance abuse disorders has always been clear. But what is more interesting is the cause of such high self-perceived levels of stress: concerns about the future of the nation.

As these feelings continue to propel a nationwide mental health epidemic, there is a possible culprit behind all this: the news.

If watching the news is key to keeping up to date with the world’s events, today’s overexposure to 24/7 news feeds and media makes it all the harder to strike a balance between being informed and safeguarding mental health.

As people across the nation continue to suffer the detrimental effect of continual and aggressive political rhetoric, APEX Recovery centers act as protectors and torch bearers, intending to safeguard the nation’s mental health and emotional well-being.

News Anxiety: The Impact of Continual Aggressive Political Rhetoric on Mental Health
Having access to the world’s news on an ongoing basis can certainly be a double-edged sword.

Unbiased, real-time information can help people around the world feel connected, up-to-date, and more able to make better-informed decisions. On the other hand, news feeds are packed with headlines reporting political unrest, public health threats, climate change crisis updates, and other stress-inducing facts.

In turn, when looking at what causes high stress levels in people, surveys have shown that national and global issues have become just as prevalent as money and relationships. And, that is also why therapist Steven Stosny, Ph.D., in a Washington Post opinion piece, refers to what is commonly called “news anxiety” as “headline stress disorder” (https://www.nbcnews.com/better/health/what-headline-stress-disorder-do-you-have-it-ncna830141). And, he did so just as the 2016 presidential election approached.

But, even more importantly, a 2008 study (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2732004/) has proven the connection between high levels of stress or chronic stress, and drug use and vulnerability to addiction, thus offering a glance into what news-induced stress can cause.

Although women are more prone to remembering negative facts and events, this disorder can affect anyone, regardless of gender, age, or preferred media channel. What’s more, high levels of anxiety and substance abuse relapse are only bound to increase as practices such as doom-scrolling become more widespread.

The Anxiety and Substance Abuse Red Flags To Watch Out For
Certainly, the ongoing aggressive political rhetoric portrayed by the news and headlines can make it all the harder for people struggling with high stress levels to maintain a positive outlook on life. Nonetheless, anxiety disorders and substance abuse relapses can be prevented when the early signs of a mental health disorder are promptly addressed.

That is why it is crucial to learn to recognize early symptoms or identify the signs that might lead to mental health disorders in the long term.

These often include unhealthy behaviors such as doom-scrolling and doom-surfing, constantly checking the phone or the news, lack of socialization, isolation, and a generalized feeling of hopelessness.

People who have a history of substance abuse might be heading towards a relapse if they are showing signs of elevated stress, drastic changes in attitude, denial, withdrawal, social breakdowns, lack of a structured routine, and loss of control or judgment.

If a person also has a history of anxiety and mental health disorders and shows changes in behavior such as smoking and self-isolation, it is important to immediately consult a mental health professional.

Preventing Substance Abuse Relapse With Apex Recovery
For many people working towards sober living, relapses are a part of their recovery journey. However, substance abuse relapses can be prevented, especially if they stem from watching daunting or stressful news.

In this case, the first step to take is to partner with specialized mental health professionals.
At Apex Recovery centers, the specialized team of therapists looks far beyond substance rehab treatments and aims to provide patients with all the tools and support needed to avoid relapses and pitfalls.

If you or a loved one have been struggling to deal with and process news, make sure to contact a professional at Apex Recovery and take the first step towards rebalancing your outlook on life.

Matthew Bruhin
Apex Recovery Rehab
+1 877-881-2689
email us here
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