As the Russian Invasion Unfolds, Anxiety and Compulsive News Consumption Resurface
The ongoing crisis in Ukraine has stirred a complex mix of emotions, mirroring the overwhelming confusion many experienced during the Covid pandemic. Now, doomscrolling—the compulsive need to keep checking news updates—is making a strong return, impacting our mental well-being in ways similar to the early days of Covid.
Mental health professionals are raising alarms about the psychological toll that continuous engagement with the crisis can take, especially when it fuels rising anxiety. Paul Salkovskis, a professor of clinical psychology at the University of Oxford, who worked on strategies to help people cope with Covid-related stress, noted: “There are individuals already prone to anxiety who will likely become more distressed, just as we saw a significant uptick in anxiety-related issues during the pandemic. While this will happen with the current situation, it might not become the dominant reaction for everyone.”
