Does watching the news or reading the daily newspaper make you depressed?

1. 68

   nina64posted 12 years ago

   Does watching the news or reading the daily newspaper make you depressed?
   
   With all the negative stories on the news and in the newspaper, it just makes you think that life is shown in such a terrible light. Of course, there are some positive news articles as well that will uplift your spirit. There is no right or wrong answer.

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2. 91

   mactaversposted 12 years ago

   Stories of natural disasters, violent crimes, and wrongdoings are always a downer; however, medical breakthroughs, human interest stories, business information, home decorating, sports, movie and restaurant and book reviews, keep me reading the local and statewide news.  For real comedy, and tradgedy, read about politicians everywhere.

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3. 69

   Hayley Richardsonposted 12 years ago

   Yes, I find the news alternately depressing and anger inducing.

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4. 75

   Levertis Steeleposted 12 years ago

   Once I felt that it was my duty as a good citizen to stay informed about what was going on around me and throughout the world. What a better way to do that than through the media, especially television at that time. I complained to my doctor that negative news caused me depression and anxiety problems. He said, "Try punching that on/off button the next time it makes you depressed. You might want to think about not watching it at all." Easy. I tried it. What therapy!

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   Seeker7posted 12 years ago

   Yes these kinds of stories do make me feel very down and if you are bit under the weather or a bit low in mood anyway, reading the newspapers/watching the news doesn't help. To counter act all the doom and gloom I look out for good news articles or articles that are amusing. The internet has some excellent, good-news sites.

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6. 74

   wearing wellposted 12 years ago

   I think that it is about time that we had a yin and yang channel which had equal amounts of negative and positive news;after all it is the reality of life.
   To answer your question, I personally find that I can find myself glued to the tv when traumatic events are taking place in the world and unfortunately not being able to do anything about it to help people in need, other than to pray or donate dependent upon the situation.
   Although it does make me feel depressed about the world at large,the flip side is being able to also feel grateful for being safe and well at home with my family too !
   P.S.Thank goodness for the humour to be found here at Hubpages too

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7. 39

   privateye2500posted 12 years ago

   Yes.  I stopped watching the news.  One could say "Well, you are just uninformed!" or the like, but it is so depressing and miserable; and I can't change it!
   
   What is the POINT of watching it?  It really does not affect my life -  I cannot CHANGE it so why burden myself with it?
   
   My life has enough to deal with in it already without other people and things external thrown into the mix!

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8. 59

   Teylinaposted 12 years ago

   I gotta go w/ wearing well. Maybe it's because I'm older and have been through and seen so much--not sure. I may cry at the time, feel so blessed, and want to help others so much, it could be depressing. But it's not. To me, it's symbolic of all wrongs in this world heightening exponentially at the same time (also exponentially). Just glad I know how to laugh and be grateful I'm (nor friends) are on the screen! And, no, I NEVER laugh at other's misfortunes only my own stupid mistakes that could have put me there. As far as a yin-yang channel--not a bad idea. Brian Williams started w/a hero or heroic event each evening, so why not. He had a great idea. Maybe somebody should look into it.

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9. 60

   ytsenohposted 11 years ago

   Watching local news is depressing because of all the emphasis on bad news and sad news.  I like reading the news on-line or watching cable news to see what's going on everywhere.  Unfortunately, the flavor we receive from local news is almost what the majority tunes in to hear, so it seems.  There needs to be more of a balance of what's being delivered.  The CBS Sunday Morning News program has so much positive appeal because it's a calming resource that has journalistic stories and interviews.  Check it out if you haven't seen it yet.

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