Main Points

1. Impact of Violent Videos on Social Media: The article describes the profound emotional and psychological trauma experienced by a young woman who is overwhelmed by the constant stream of violent videos related to the Israel-Gaza conflict on social media. These videos, depicting extreme violence and atrocities, can have a devastating effect on viewers, causing them to feel helpless and traumatized.
2. Danger of Consuming Violent Content: Watching violent videos repeatedly can lead to self-inflicted trauma. While staying informed about current events is important, excessive exposure to graphic violence can be harmful. The article stresses the need to limit consumption of such content to protect one’s mental health.
3. Empowerment Through Action and Self-Care: To counteract the psychological impact of these violent images, the article suggests taking proactive steps, such as engaging in supportive actions and community efforts. This can help individuals feel less paralyzed by horror and more empowered. Additionally, self-care and protecting children from exposure to violent content are emphasized as crucial for maintaining mental well-being.

I saw the trauma effect of war videos in my living room this week.

A young woman I know well looked pale with shell-shocked eyes, as if all familiar feelings were wiped off her face and out of her soul. She could only talk about the atrocities in Israel. Instagram is part of her daily life, with friends and followers sharing stories of campus life, dates, trips, clothes, parties, and selfies.

All of a sudden, her Instagram is a torrent of horrific videos. Massacres, butchering of men, women, children, and babies flood her vision. She can’t stop watching. She doesn’t know how to think about what’s happening. She never knew such a horror could happen.

Your feelings map is in your hands.

Pushing Feelings Away

A common coping mechanism when confronted with challenging emotions is the tendency to push them away. This is often seen as a defense mechanism, a way to avoid discomfort. However, it's essential to realize that suppressing your feelings does not make them disappear.

Instead, they tend to fester beneath the surface, causing more significant pain over time. It’s possible to behave harshly without appreciating why because what sets you off are denied feelings. You can push feelings out of your awareness but not out of your psyche.

Psychotherapy benefits include a powerful journey towards healing and mental wellness. Seeking help and support from this process is a sign of strength, not weakness. The benefits of psychotherapy can be yours at any age as long as you are willing and capable of doing the work.

Here I explore with you the transformative power of psychotherapy, highlighting its potential to provide relief from spiraling thought processes, negative self-talk, and deep-rooted issues like eating disorders and body dysmorphia.

Understanding Psychotherapy

Effective psychotherapy is a collaborative process between an empathic psychotherapist therapist and an individual seeking help. Its aim is to provide a safe and supportive environment for individuals to explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Through this exploration, individuals can gain insight, develop coping strategies, and improve their mental and emotional well-being.

Threshold issues are a huge force in your life, whether you are aware of them or not. The issue of threshold is around us every day, perhaps even every moment.

What exactly is a threshold? This seemingly simple word encompasses various meanings and implications, each shedding light on different aspects of our lives and experiences.