Coping with the distress from the collective of traumatic events

[MyProfile]

I was just on Facebook and noticed someone posted a picture of some people on their way to be executed in the Holocaust. I find images like that extremely distressing. I avoid the news because it really upsets me.

How are we supposed to cope when we are bombarded with distressing images and information of traumatic events that don't even directly affect us? I worry that it is intentional!

I'm still so haunted by 9/11, by the planes crashing or going missing over the years, the world wars and the Holocaust, the building collapse recently.. Basically all the horrible stuff blasted at us by the media. I literally imagine how all the people must have felt, their suffering and fear and sadness, their last moments, their family's grief.

How are humans supposed to cope with this much pain? It destroys me and preoccupies me unless I deliberately force myself to think of something else.

[Ggrand]

Hello Dear MyProfile,

Reading your post, resonated so much with me...When I see those pictures your talking about, I can feel in my heart and souls the fear and deflation they must have gone through...It really is so sad and heartbreaking knowing one human can treat another human like that.....and it’s devastating to see these pictures and posts...

I have unfollowed everything on Facebook that shows these images and are following only inspirational posts..The news I just don’t watch...I don’t need to hear about all the bad things going on around the world or Australia...I do care about it all...but for my mental health I do give myself some self care by not viewing it....

You in a way have answered you own question....Distracting our minds is about the only way to cope with it all....Its not good for our mental health to be pre occupied and continually think about these things....so the best way to cope is to deliberately force ourselves to think of more beautiful times we’ve had, happy memories etc...We cannot change the past...but hopefully us humans can learn from it..

Talk here when you’re feeling up to it MyProfile...

My kindest thoughts with caring wishes..

Grandy..

[MyProfile]

Thanks for taking the time to reply to my post. I appreciate your thoughtful words. It is comforting to feel heard and understood. I feel more human after your response where usually I feel that I must seem strange or odd.

I will continue with the distraction tactic.

Wishing you all the best. MP