Since October 7, a lot of information has been flowing to our screens. On the morning of the bloody Saturday, we waited anxiously for bits of information that were late in arriving, but once the puzzle began to take shape, it came to the realization that it was a diabolical picture that was difficult to digest.
Since then, the questions have been asked: Do we have a moral obligation to expose ourselves to the chilling details in order to preserve the memory of the victims? To fight for the conviction of the criminals who massacred them? To help in the resurrection of survivors? And anyway, is every person capable of emotionally containing such triggering information?
Last night friends visited our house. I spoke excitedly about the UN conference I was flying to in order to raise awareness of Hamas' crimes against women. Activism is the most healing way for me to vent my shock at the refusal of human rights organizations to condemn Hamas and its murderous terrorists.
The meeting of friends devolved, of course, into a conversation about the situation. When will all the abductees be released? How will we eradicate Hamas? What about the northern border? Will the government come to its senses and give up coalition funds? How did we not realize how deeply rooted anti-Semitism is in the world? We repeated the same things we had already said in previous meetings, and then I told about the evidence collection reports from the rape, abuse and murder cases that I read in preparation for the expedition.
One of my friends covered his ears with both hands and said, "Paula, enough, I can't hear these things." Another friend admonished him that we must know in order to deal with those who try to deny the crimes against humanity committed by Hamas, and the friend shared that four days ago he watched a video from a terrorist's body camera and since then has not been able to sleep without tranquilizers.
You may have also encountered shares of journalists who watched the IDF Spokesperson's atrocities film, in which they reported severe physical and mental reactions. Some needed professional emotional support after watching. It was also hard to miss the pictures from the Knesset, of our elected officials leaving in the middle of the screening with difficult feelings and tears. On TikTok or Instagram, influencers from around the world who attended screenings organized by the IDF Spokesperson, who were not prepared for such a difficult experience, say that they are shocked and troubled.
From the general to the individual
Is it important to delve into the horrifying details of the abuse perpetrated by Hamas, or to settle for the general picture? Personally, until I was called to the delegation, I tried to minimize the amount of graphic depictions of sexual abuse I was exposed to, because even the overall picture is only slightly less shocking.
Last week I wrote a column about the clash of personal and national needs, but does reading about how someone was murdered or raped contribute anything to those she lacks? To the national healing effort? Is there any value to this that advances the situation?
It is important to understand and acquire reliable knowledge of the events, but at the same time, there is no civic obligation to include the details of the atrocity, unless you are a professional who needs the details of your work in handling, advocating, convicting criminals. Perhaps it would be better, for the sake of future national resilience, for most citizens to avoid overexposure to some of the harshest sights seen in modern times?
Repeated exposure to traumatic events, even indirectly, can lead to symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and trigger symptoms such as increased anxiety, stress, dissociation, and emotional detachment. Studies have found quite a few cases where even a one-time viewing has had long-term effects on mental health. It depends on the emotional processing mechanisms and coping forces of each individual.
On the other hand, there are those among us who choose even at this time to completely disconnect from updates and prefer not to know at all about the extent of the disaster. This attitude is also dangerous, and may lead to behavior that is not adapted to the degree of danger around us.
The answer is to an extent. How do you identify the line between vital information and information that causes emotional damage? It varies from person to person. The signs of overexposure appear only after the damage has been done. Sleep problems, anxiety, obsessive thoughts, uncontrollable crying attacks - at this stage it is only possible to minimize the injury, and it is better to avoid reaching it.
The Road to Caring
Everyone has the right to decide how much to be exposed, according to their individual ability to process such information, alongside the national collective obligation to preserve evidence of atrocities, ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice, and perpetuate the memory of those murdered. These goals can be realized even without every citizen being exposed to traumatic details – which should only be revealed to those who have the appropriate professional tools to cope.
We fly to the UN to try to challenge the narrative of human rights organizations, which ignores Hamas' crimes. This is an important goal that justifies reading the reports on what my sisters and women went through. The least we can do for the memory of the murdered and for the rehabilitation of the survivors is to make sure that no one dares ignore it.
Social and cultural norms try to dictate how we should respond to tragedies and crises. On the surface, it may seem that those who get more pushers and watch every interview with a survivor show more care and compassion, but that's not the case. We need to reduce judgment about how others deal with atrocities. Concern and caring can be expressed in different ways: activism, advocacy, logistical support, a listening ear. Everyone has a way of giving, showing care.
How do you know if you're overexposed?
Here are some questions that can help you understand how much exposure to information affects your well-being
How often do you watch hard content from the October events?
• Rarely or never
• 2-1 times a week• 5-3 times a week• More than 5 times a week
How do I get to this content?
• Accidentally, while browsing
• Through news or social
media updates• Actively searching for such
content• It was sent to me by others
Is there a change in mood after watching these contents?
• No significant
change • Mild discomfort • Agitated
mood
• Distress and severe emotional turmoil
Are there any physical symptoms felt during or after viewing, such as sweating, headache, nausea, high pulse?
• No symptoms • Mild symptoms
• Mild
symptoms
• Severe symptoms
How long do the effects last after viewing?
• Pass after a few minutes• A good
few hours• It lasts at least a day
• The symptoms last a few days
Does exposure to harsh content affect your sleep?
• No effect
• Mild disturbance, it's hard for me to fall asleep, but after fifteen minutes it works out
• Moderate disturbance, sometimes waking up in the middle of the night as a result
• Nightmares, insomnia, inability to fall asleep
How often do recurring thoughts arise about the difficult content you have watched or read?
•
Rarely• Occasionally• Often
• All the time
Have you noticed changes in your mood or behavior due to exposure to difficult content?
• No changes• Minor changes (a little nervousness / a little anxiety / a little despondency)
• Significant changes (inability to enjoy / paranoia / increased emotional eating) • Dramatic changes
(avoidance of social gatherings / difficulty getting out of bed / dysfunction)
Is there anything that calms you down after watching such content?
• Yes, there are things that help me
• Yes, but it doesn't always work
• No, I have trouble coping and can't find a solution
• No, I have trouble coping and experience shock, sometimes emotional detachment, severe crying attacks, panic attacks.
Has anyone close to you commented on changes in your behavior or mood related to your media consumption?
• No
• Yes, but rarely• Yes, often
• Yes, and they are worried
If most of the answers you marked are A, your exposure to difficult content is regulated and your learning.
If most of the answers you marked are B, the exposure is still within reasonable range, but there is a slight tendency to float beyond your emotional abilities.
If most of the answers you marked are C or D - your responses indicate a significant and complex impact following exposure to difficult content, it is worth thinking about seeking professional advice.
If the results reflect unmanaged consumption of difficult content, you should set clearer boundaries, you can ask people or friends for support.
*This test is not a substitute for professional advice and anyone who uses it does so at his sole discretion and responsibility.
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