Media Coverage Of Terrorism Raises Pain Levels In Chronic Pain Patients

According to a new study by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Researchers, people experience an increase in chronic pain intensity when they view terrorist attacks in the media. The study revealed, “Exposure to media coverage of terrorist missile attacks increases pain levels in people already suffering from chronic pain.”

Chronic pain is understood as a continuous or recurring pain over an extended period that can develop from a disease or disorder, such as depression. Some specialists consider chronic pain as lasting longer than 6 months, but it is defined as lasting longer than 3. According to the American Pain Foundation, this condition affects 42 million to 50 million Americans.

It is tricky to find the cause of chronic pain, because tests might show no injuries in the body at all, even though the person is in severe discomfort. Some conditions may stem from a past injury, infection, or surgical incision that has already been healed. There are some unfortunate cases where there is no seeming cause, having no past experience of injury, surgery, or infection.

Depression and anxiety seem to worsen the symptoms of chronic pain. If a person focuses on their pain, they may become more disabled with the illness. Chronic pain patients should try to avoid dwelling on their particular pain, and get both medical and emotional treatment.

An article published in the online edition of the Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, “Does War Hurt? Effects of Media Exposure After Missile Attacks on Chronic Pain,” explains that during the pre-post war period, witnessing the attacks by a media standpoint predicted an increase in pain intensity and in the emotional feelings of pain, unlike depression or anxiety, which were unaffected.

These findings show how powerful the impact terrorism coverage might be on both physical and emotional distress, while allowing people to understand how vulnerable chronic pain patients feel in the time of terrorism-related events. These patients need special attention and comfort because of all the increased stress they feel.

Professor Golan Shahar and Dr. Sheera F. Lerman of BGU’s Department of Psychology, and Dr. Zvia Rudich of Soroka University Medical Center, evaluated patients on their feelings of depression, pain, anxiety, and how much they were exposed to after the missile attacks during Operation Cast Lead in Israel’s Negev Region.

Results showed that levels of stress and the amount of media exposure were strongly linked. The researchers believe that the amount of terrorism-related topics on television might influence the degree to which patients experience stress.

Professor Shahar said:

“Patients’ previous levels of emotional distress may affect their ability to cope with stressful situations, making stressors more prominent and influencing them to seek out more information about the situation.”

The study took place at a specialty pain clinic where 55 chronic pain patients were examined. A self-report questionnaire was given to each patient to fill out, focusing on his or her physical and emotional pain, depression, and anxiety. Participants answered questions both before and after the three-week missile attack.