Is over-information making us sick? How does negative news impact our mental health?

We live in a hyper-connected world where news reaches us in real time, without pauses or filters. From the moment we wake up until we fall asleep, we are exposed to headlines about wars, political crises, violence, natural disasters and social conflicts. This overexposure, while keeping us informed, also raises an urgent question: how does the constant consumption of negative news affect our mental health? Is hyperconnectivity making us sick?

This article explores, from a psychological perspective and backed by scientific studies, the effects of news bombardment on our emotional well-being.

By Info Zoe Network

Watching the news every day: informed or stressed?

Although staying informed is an important part of civic life, multiple studies show that constant consumption of negative news can have significant psychological consequences. According to research by Holman, Garfin, and Silver (2014), published in Psychological Science, people who were repeatedly exposed to traumatic images in the media (such as bombings or shootings) had higher levels of acute stress and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), even compared to those who experienced the events directly.

This phenomenon is related to what is known as vicarious stress: the emotional strain we experience when observing the suffering of others. In practice, seeing shocking news on a daily basis activates our sympathetic nervous system - the one in charge of preparing us for danger - and keeps us in a state of constant alertness, affecting sleep, concentration and mood.

The media focus: only conflict?

There is a structural bias in the media called negativity bias, both in the way news is produced and in how we consume it. News about conflicts, violence or tragedies tend to receive more attention because they generate more clicks, views and reactions. This responds to a market logic, but also to an evolutionary pattern: the human brain has evolved to detect threats as a survival mechanism.

Studies such as Soroka and McAdams (2015) confirm that brain activity in the amygdala - the region that detects danger - increases when we are exposed to negative news, making it perceived as more relevant. Although the media also cover positive stories, scientific breakthroughs or acts of solidarity, these contents often go unnoticed in the face of the prominence of the tragedy.

Why do we consume more negative news?

The phenomenon of doomscrolling, or the compulsive tendency to consume negative news, has been studied with increasing interest. This behavior is driven by the desire to feel control in a chaotic environment, but also by the attraction generated by intense emotional content.

From a neuroscientific perspective, the negativity bias is natural: our brain pays more attention to the negative because historically it increased our chances of survival. The problem is that this pattern, useful in the past, today becomes counterproductive when applied to the constant flow of global information.

Brain adaptation: are we becoming desensitized?

Through a process known as emotional habituation, the brain tends to adapt to repetitive stimuli. Over time, continuous exposure to tragic news reduces the emotional intensity with which we respond to it. This can lead to desensitization, i.e., a decrease in empathy and emotional response to the suffering of others.

The study by Oliver et al. (2012), published in the Journal of Communication, revealed that this phenomenon can even decrease levels of compassion and altruism. In contexts where horror becomes everyday, many people develop a kind of emotional anesthesia in order to carry on.

This type of response, while a psychological defense, can also be dangerous: it contributes to cynicism, indifference, or emotional paralysis in the face of injustice.

Compassion fatigue: a silent evil

In addition to desensitization, constant exposure to negative news can lead to what is known as compassion fatigue. This term, widely studied in helping professions (such as doctors, therapists, or humanitarian workers), can also manifest itself in ordinary citizens when they feel powerless in the face of so much global suffering.

The result is a feeling of emotional exhaustion, hopelessness, or emotional disconnection. Ironically, the attempt to stay informed can end up affecting one's ability to act or engage positively in reality.

What can we do to take care of our mental health?

Although we cannot control everything that happens in the world, we can control how and how much we expose ourselves to the news. Some strategies recommended by psychologists and mental health experts include:

• Set limits on news consumption: avoid checking headlines when you wake up or just before bed.

  
  

•  Look for media outlets that also share solutions: so-called “constructive journalism” or “solutions journalism” offers a more balanced view.

  
  

• Practice digital self-care: alternate news exposure with activities that promote calm, connection, and well-being. 

  
  

• Strengthen active empathy: choose a cause and contribute as much as possible, rather than feeling overwhelmed by everything you cannot control.

  
  

Being informed is a right and a necessity, but overexposure to negative news can erode our mental and emotional health if not managed consciously. Understanding how our brains process information and taking steps to balance our consumption is key to staying emotionally healthy in times of global crisis. In a world that never stops, learning to pause, filter, and protect our minds is an act of public health and self-care.

We invite you to follow our social media posts to learn more about this global phenomenon that is making us feel increasingly tired, anxious, and upset. Here, we want your mental health to be a priority, and our team is here to support you. Please don't hesitate to contact us.

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