The recent headlines detailing US-Israeli strikes on Iran and the looming threat of wider conflict have once again plunged many into a state of heightened anxiety, dominating conversations and social media feeds. As the world grapples with escalating tensions, medical experts are highlighting the critical need for individuals to protect their mental well-being amidst the relentless news cycle.
It is entirely normal to experience stress and a sense that global events are spiralling into chaos, according to psychiatrists. Michael S Ziffra, a professor and psychiatrist at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, reassures that such reactions are a natural human response. "Fear, sadness, confusion... these are very normal reactions to very extreme circumstances," he told The Associated Press. "People shouldn’t feel guilty, or they shouldn’t feel like it’s wrong to feel anxiety. It’s a very normal human response. The key is to know how to manage it."
