Misinformation and war rhetoric during Op Sindoor created significant psychological strain: Dr Sandeep Vohra

New Delhi: Amid misinformation on social media and television channels over Operation Sindoor, many people wilted in fear and uncertainty.

There were frantic calls to help lines as people reached out for help. Anxiety levels were at an all-time high as uncertainty gripped people.

The general population was confused, anxious, and mentally stressed. Senior citizens and youth were the worst hit. Maximum complaints of anxiety and sadness were from the youth and the elderly. They were not able to cope with the emerging situation.

Those in the border areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and northern region were highly stressed as they witnessed the mock drill. Blaring of sirens were even played on television.

Dr Sandeep Vohra, neuro-psychiatrist and founder at `No Worry, No Tension’, talked to News Meter on the mental health of people in India as misinformation led many to the edge.

Excerpts:

News Meter: How did the misinformation and the war rhetoric affect the existing mental health patients?

Dr Sandeep Vohra: The ongoing misinformation and war rhetoric created significant psychological strain for individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions. Patients already struggling with anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder found themselves particularly vulnerable to the heightened emotional environment. There was a lot of information spreading fast on social media and television channels.

These reports intensified existing symptoms, with increased feelings of uncertainty, fear, and helplessness. The constant exposure to conflict-related information disrupted their established coping mechanisms, making it more challenging to manage their mental health effectively.

Many people called in. These high anxiety levels caused major commotion in families across India.

News Meter: How did it affect those who are not identified as mental health patients?

Dr Sandeep Vohra: The general population experienced a considerable psychological impact during this period. Individuals who would typically be classified as mentally healthy found themselves grappling with unprecedented levels of stress and anxiety. People reported feeling overwhelmed by the continuous stream of information, experiencing heightened emotional reactivity, and struggling with sleep disturbances.

The common complaints that we have dealt with from May 7 include:

High level of anxiety

A highly emotional environment at home

Sleep disturbances, lack of sleep

Constant checking of social media and news for updates

Extreme emotional exhaustion

Personal relationships were affected as friends, family, and neighbours were found to argue, debate, and engage in name-calling on WhatsApp groups.

Misinformation and fake news added to the fear of a larger population

Performance at work was affected.

Overall quality of life was also affected in a section of the population.

News Meter: Were there patients who called in with panic attacks?

Dr Sandeep Vohra: Those patients who are already on medicines for anxiety and depression, called in saying sadness and panic have returned.

Maximum called in saying that they felt panicky after watching the news on social media and television channels.

Lack of adequate sleep was the common complaint from maximum people as they were constantly watching news. The need to know what will happen next was a very natural reaction of people as they saw a perceived and impending danger.

NewsMeter: What were the reactions noted by you when people called in both at the clinic and for teleconsultation?

Dr Sandeep Vohra: These are a few things we have noted from May 7 onwards in the people:

News on social media and television channels has played a crucial role in amplifying psychological distress.

Conflict-related videos created a unique form of psychological impact on the general population.

Individuals experienced immediate and intense emotional reactions when they viewed conflict content in their borders.

A sense of vicarious trauma was noted as graphic and emotionally charged videos led to deep-seated fears.

News Meter: Apart from medical treatment what was the counselling given to these patients? What would you tell the general public to observe in these times of crisis?

Dr Sandeep Vora: The first thing done by us was to evaluate the natural coping mechanisms of the human being.

In doing so, it gave us an idea of how they were self-guiding themselves to cope with the emerging scenario.

What we found:

Some of them came with good coping mechanisms and reduced the consumption of news and social media updates.

The existing mental health patients were put on medications, and counseling sessions were carried out, asking them to refrain from watching news and social media updates.

General people who called in were asked to disable their video settings on WhatsApp, so that they do not see too many conflict-related videos. Visuals had a profound impact on people more than text. Visuals were creating an immediate and visceral emotional response in people.

News Meter: What would be your advice as ceasefire has been declared but there is still a sense of uncertainty and that is keeping people on the edge?

Dr Sandeep Vohra: We have been constantly telling people in the last few days through various mediums to watch minimal news and follow or read only government recognized sources for news.

Our advice is:

Do not get addicted to watching news updates on the conflict.

Change your mobile phone settings for pictures and videos so that the news spreading on WhatsApp is curtailed from being viewed.

Follow your life routine.

Have adequate sleep

Do breathing exercises when anxious or stressed.

Be positive