Why is the world like this? - Anxiety and Depre...

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Why is the world like this?

Willow2022 profile image
23 Replies

I am having a tough time this morning. My mind keeps thinking of all the terrible things/people that are out in the world and my depression is telling me it’s so much better to stay inside and go back to bed.

The shootings, the racial attacks, the rancid politicians, climate crisis, the pure anger and hate in general of people is making me wonder why I even try to keep my chin up and stay positive. It makes me regret bringing my children into this terrible world.

I feel like I am fighting a tidal wave of negativity and losing. My depression is thriving on it.

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Willow2022 profile image
Willow2022
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23 Replies
AnxiousSilver profile image
AnxiousSilver

How much news are you watching or reading?

Willow2022 profile image
Willow2022 in reply to AnxiousSilver

Minimal. The snippets I see or hear are largely negative and obviously it has gotten to me. I used to be a doomsday scroller just reading story after story of awful stuff but I finally just stopped reading so much. It was confirming the world is an awful place with many awful people.

Lots of sad stuff in this world & highlited on the tv news. More good though, I think about that too. I need the good. I seek it. The bad will find me & I deal with it the best I can. I’m looking for peace & tranquility. I wanna smile. Thank You

Gillyflower18 profile image
Gillyflower18

I agree with you completely! I just deleted the news app on my phone. I can get any really important news in the 30 second roundup on the radio without all the ranting and bashing from every side. You might want to read Happy Mind Happy Life. It has a whole chapter on the digital overload and I’m taking a lot of the suggestions and starting to work on them. I only go on social media rarely for family and friends likewise I’m going to limit you tube too because it’s to easy to spend hours scrolling and not do anything that would be good for me mentally. It’s hard to break these habits and that’s what these platforms depend on. Next thing I’m thinking about is getting a simple cellphone without all the unnecessary and distracting apps!

Blueruth profile image
Blueruth

I’m not a fan of burying my head in the sand and being ignorant of world and local events. (Those people depress me.) But this week there is new information about dementia treatments that are behavioral, (I think that is good news since both parents have or had dementia) and an interesting article on walking, I’ve noticed the movies are coming back…some really good movies in the theater right now. Different news aggregators do have good news sections.

I sometimes think we should be upset because otherwise we do nothing to change it. You can’t change the world but you can make changes for your children.

Willow2022 profile image
Willow2022 in reply to Blueruth

I certainly don’t want to bury my head in the sand. I want to know about world events and scientific studies and who won the Stanley cup…. Interspersed in those stories are ones that just make my shoulders slump.

Blueruth profile image
Blueruth in reply to Willow2022

Agreed. I’m tired of the battles too. I do focus on local politics to some degree. A lot is very irrelevant to me and I want to move. But still local councils have no choice but to compromise so it is a little less polarized even if my neighbors are polarized. “Print” news is better because it is in depth. There is often nuance that you don’t get in headlines. I listen to the daily …I have avoided a few episodes lately because some subjects are on pause but I’m not uneducated about them.

Blueruth profile image
Blueruth

There are a few good news aggregators. Local news stations are no longer local. It shows.

EndUser13 profile image
EndUser13

I'm afraid the world has always had a lot of ugliness on it, it's just more noticeable the way we are connected in modern times. I don't watch the news, I'll read about it, usually from independents who are not sensationalists or fear-mongers. It helps...

There is a lot of good in the world too, even if it seems like it's hard to find sometimes, being pushed to the side by all the news that sells. I had to learn to be a more light-hearted person and look for the silver linings in life, it helped my anxiety and helped me to be a happier person- though it wasn't easy, especially at first.

Maybe it would help to take some time each day to focus on what's really important to you, or to actively look for the nicer things instead of getting bogged down by sensationalist, negative news.

Good luck! I know it can be an uphill battle

Willow2022 profile image
Willow2022 in reply to EndUser13

Thanks End. I need to be more present but I thirst for knowledge. It is a difficult situation to want to know what is going on in the world and my country but not have it affect me so much.

Willow2022 profile image
Willow2022

I used to love having the news on. I used to listen to it growing up and then when I had my own family listened to it in mornings or evenings. Now there is so much hate and violence that I can’t even listen long enough to hear just regular news.

I seek the good in people & almost always find some. TV News is a biased, opinionated sounding board, with an agenda. I accept it for what I think it is. Thanks for your insight.

Blueruth profile image
Blueruth in reply to

There are some great reporters that know their community really well and work to present multiple sides. Problem is 30 seconds isn’t enough time. That is not the same as having an agenda. Each outlet needs to be evaluated independently.

in reply to Blueruth

You’re probably right. I’m old school; Who, What, Where, When! That underline? Why?

Blueruth profile image
Blueruth

I think national news should creep in…it impacts you locally like it or not.

If it is owned locally you most likely live in Nevada because I believe that is the only one left and that was a couple years ago. They may be gone. One national owner actually provides scripts to the hosts. That one has a specific agenda and is often the only local news in some rural areas. If the station has a national logo like for nbc they are an affiliate. I believe content control varies in that case but I do see fox affiliates that don’t seem to prescribe to their parent company.

The only local news I feel is really local is a website news outlet. One in particular is funded by members (not pbs) and has local reporters and opinion writers that have lived here for years. They are funded by members but the website is actually accessible to everyone with no ads.

Hb2003 profile image
Hb2003

I understand where your coming from 😔 i cry about this world for what it has become . I have a quote for you that you might like its from an anime character From the anime A certain magical index “There's no denying that this world is cold and harsh. Sometimes, it seems to be filled with malice beyond all hope.However, if you make the decision to stretch out your hand and struggle and struggle, some more, you'll find. There's light ahead. This world is cruel, but it's not. So desperate, a place one cannot reach out and snatch A ray of that light “. Accelerator This quote speaks to me when i am feeling this way

Blueruth profile image
Blueruth in reply to Hb2003

I like that quote

Hb2003 profile image
Hb2003 in reply to Blueruth

I like it too athough its from a villain but not all villains are fully coldhearted ☺️

Willow2022 profile image
Willow2022 in reply to Hb2003

Thank you for sharing. That is beautiful

Hb2003 profile image
Hb2003 in reply to Willow2022

Your welcome ☺️

32Punch profile image
32Punch

I completely agree, Willow. I grew up taking in news and wanting to be aware of the great world. Things have changed though. The news sources of my youth were limited, measured and not instantaneous. Now, we have tons and tons and tons of sources in an instant. I don't believe our brains are able to take in the volume of doom and gloom that is presented to it daily. Basically we just keep traumatizing ourselves over and over. And of course depression puts a negative lens on through which we view the wider world and news.

Be kind to yourself. Pivot your attention to the now. Deep breaths.

catch_the_music profile image
catch_the_music

You are not alone. We all need a good dose of Hope - daily. I like to listen to radio stations like KLOVE. Filled with encouraging music and insights. When they do talk about bad events (shootings, etc) - they often pray for help and healing. Or they will read a Bible scripture to focus on. All great ways to stay encouraged. Prayers and God Bless!

CoderMom profile image
CoderMom

I use music - praise and worship music - to keep me moving in a positive direction.

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