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Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Feel Numb About The News? Here's How To Defeat 'Outrage Fatigue'
Feel Numb About The News? Here's How To Defeat 'Outrage Fatigue' Nigel Farage via Associated Press After Reform's 'surprise' (or perhaps not-so-surprise) electoral wins last week, it seems Brits are increasingly convinced that Nigel Farage could become our next prime minister. But not all those people might be fans of the man. Some may simply be experiencing what Scientific American calls 'outrage fatigue' – the feeling of 'at this point, why not?' you might get when constantly reading negative news. The feeling can make you feel disengaged and disempowered, and leave you wondering what the point of trying to rebel against what feels like an inevitably terrible world is, meaning you're less likely to remain politically active. ADVERTISEMENT So, we spoke to psychologists about how to prevent, or at least lessen, 'outrage fatigue' – and what to do to stay politically engaged despite it (after all, using your civil rights is important in controlling our shared future). The reaction makes sense Speaking to HuffPost UK, Dr Mosun, a consultant psychiatrist at Cassiobury Court, said that what some describe as 'outrage fatigue' is actually 'a form of emotional burnout'. 'When we are exposed to repeated stressors – political upheaval, social injustices, or perceived setbacks – without sufficient resolution or rest, our emotional responses can essentially begin to dull,' she said. 'It's the mind's way of conserving energy when it feels that outrage no longer leads to meaningful change.' Susie Masterson, a BACP registered trauma-informed therapist, agrees. ADVERTISEMENT 'Like compassion fatigue, outrage fatigue is a common presenting issue in therapy,' she told us. 'When we are overwhelmed, we rely on our defence mechanisms to keep functioning. These include: compartmentalisation, dissociation, minimising, and splitting. Defence mechanisms can be really useful, however, if we rely too much on them, we can start to disengage from what matters to us.' What can I do to beat outrage fatigue? 'The danger is that this emotional numbing can lead to apathy, so to prevent this, it's important to pace yourself,' Dr Mosun advised. 'You can do this by limiting doom-scrolling, staying socially connected, and taking meaningful action in small ways. Even small acts of agency, like having informed conversations or voting, help counter that feeling of helplessness.' BACP-certified therapist Lorraine Collins added: 'Hope is such a crucial tool in navigating these feelings. It doesn't mean ignoring the challenges we face; it's about discovering light and purpose in everyday actions.' ADVERTISEMENT She added that when we feel too small to create change, it's important to reconnect with our values and beliefs. 'Reflect on why these issues matter to you and find modest, meaningful actions that align with those values,' she added. 'It could be volunteering, engaging in thoughtful conversations with friends, or simply staying informed and mindful.' And don't forget, it's OK to check out sometimes, too. As Dr Mosun puts it: 'We must give ourselves permission to rest. Outrage is not a sustainable state. Instead, we need to anchor ourselves in hope, community, and realism.' Related...
Newsweek
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Hysterics as Mom Makes Birthday Cake for Child—but There's One Big Problem
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. For many, a homemade birthday cake is a precious gift. But does it lose its value if it is not good, or, worse, inaccurate? A mother's heartfelt attempt to bake a birthday cake for her adult child has sparked laughter and discussion online after the recipient revealed one crucially wrong detail: the cake celebrated their 27th year, when they were actually turning 28. In a post to Reddit, the person shared a photo of the cake, reaching more than 50,000 viewers since it was posted three days ago. The homemade cake, in the photo, was adorned with fresh berries arranged to form the number "27." The poster added context that suggested this wasn't just a simple decorating slipup, either. Stock photo: A woman in an apron cuts strawberries to place on a cake. Stock photo: A woman in an apron cuts strawberries to place on a cake. joseantona/Getty Images "Last year, my mom made a cake for my birthday … I turned 28," the poster wrote. "A few weeks ago, I said something about soon turning 30. She said 'You still have two more years after your next birthday.'" The mother, it seemed, was genuinely mistaken about her adult child's age. The post quickly drew a flood of comments, with reactions ranging from empathy to appreciation for the mother's gesture, regardless of the error. "The younger you are, the younger she is!" one user posted. "All the love that went into that cake too," another shared. "You're 28 and your mom is still hand making you birthday cakes … You are so blessed. Good lord, you will look back and hate that you sweated this petty stuff, so just give her a huge grateful squeeze and tell her how happy you are to have her cake!" This sentiment was echoed by someone who had lost their own mother: "You know what's up! My mom died at 54 in 2021. I'd give anything for her to be around just to hand me a half-eaten Debbie snack. All I saw in that cake was love." 'A Right To Feel Upset' While largely understood to be a lighthearted mistake, these moments can sometimes tap into deeper family dynamics about acknowledging an adult child's independence. Dr. Mosun, a consultant psychiatrist at Cassiobury Court in the United Kingdom, told Newsweek about the potential undercurrents of the situation. "In families, even the small things can carry a lot of weight," Mosun said. "If a parent still sees their grown-up child as a 'kid,' even though they're an adult now, it can make them feel overlooked or as if their growth and independence aren't being recognized. So, yes, the child in this scenario has a right to feel upset or hurt, especially if they sense that their parent hasn't fully acknowledged the person they've become." However, Mosun cautioned against assuming ill intent. "This could point to the parent still seeing their child as a 'child,' even though they're technically an adult," she said. "Parents often find it difficult to make that mental shift … More often, it's a subconscious reluctance to let go of the role they've had as the 'parent' of a little one." Should the age mix-up genuinely bother the poster, Mosun offered a gentle approach to confront their mother. "If this situation did leave this person feeling uncomfortable or upset, the best way to approach it would be to raise it gently with the parent," Mosun said. "Having a conversation around it means being able to express how it made them feel without blaming or accusing the parent. The goal is to open up a calm conversation where both sides can better understand each other." Newsweek reached out to u/xzgin for comment via Reddit.
Newsweek
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Daughter, 18, Backed for Bringing Man, 38, to Family Dinner as 'Boyfriend'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The internet is applauding an 18-year-old woman who brought a man two decades her senior to dinner in what she admitted was a ploy to annoy her dad. Posting to Reddit under the handle u/Adorable_Cost806, the woman wrote that her father, now 45, had an affair when she was 12 with a woman who was then 20. Her parents divorced, and her dad has been with his now-26-year-old girlfriend ever since. "She's clearly only after his money, but he's too stupid and stubborn to understand," the original poster (OP) wrote in the subreddit AITAH [Am I The A****]*, where the post racked up more than 16,000 upvotes. As a form of payback, the OP asked her 38-year-old friend to pretend to be her boyfriend and accompany her to Easter dinner with her father and his younger partner. Her dad did not take it well. He expressed discomfort, to which she replied that she hadn't done anything wrong — after all, "love has no age." "He told me that I ruined everyone's Easter by being selfish and bringing someone his age to dinner." Following the dinner, the OP returned to school, only to receive a flood of messages from relatives urging her to apologize and to "break up" with her fake boyfriend. "I flew back to school, but now I'm getting messages from a few relatives saying I should apologize to my dad and break up with my "boyfriend." I haven't responded. I don't think I'm in the wrong because he's made my life uncomfortable since the moment he cheated on my mom. AITA?," she asked the Reddit community. In a follow-up, she acknowledged the immaturity of her stunt but stood by her actions. "I KNOW THIS IS IMMATURE PEOPLE! I know it's extremely immature of me, but I wanted to show him how it feels. Thanks a lot for the advice everyone, I'll update for Christmas, lol." A stock image showing a woman fed up whilst out for dinner. A stock image showing a woman fed up whilst out for dinner. stockbusters/iStock / Getty Images Plus Expert Insight Dr. Mosun, a consultant psychiatrist at Cassiobury Court, explained to Newsweek that when adult children witness or are impacted by infidelity—especially when it involves someone close to their age—the emotional toll can be deeply complex. In this scenario, the young woman is not only coping with her father's betrayal, but also navigating the discomfort of his long-term relationship with a woman nearly her peer. "The concept of mirroring or 'acting out' behaviour, such as bringing a much older man as a pretend boyfriend, may seem like a cathartic expression in the short term. It might feel like you have a sense of control over a situation that has left you feeling powerless. But there is a danger here. It can feel like a justified response but it may also deepen feelings of resentment and further entrench negative family dynamics," she explained. Dr. Mosun noted that for many young adults, seeing a parent leave for someone closer to their own age can provoke "feelings of confusion, rejection, and betrayal—not only of the marriage, but also of their own sense of self-worth and boundaries." Dr. Mosun emphasized the importance of emotional maturity and motivation. If the action stems from revenge, it risks perpetuating emotional harm. But if it's an attempt to reclaim agency and process grief, it should be acknowledged in a way that encourages growth. Ultimately, she advised that "healing often requires confronting the feelings of hurt directly, without resorting to further emotional games or displays." Reddit Reacts Redditors were overwhelmingly in support of the OP. "I would message all those people back asking 'why is an age gap ok for dad but with me it's a problem?'" said one user. "Yeah – the only reason dad has a problem with it is that he knows EXACTLY why he got together with that much younger female and he doesn't like the thought that someone else is using his daughter the same way. Guys like this make my blood boil," shared another viewer. "Be sure to mention it isn't like you cheated during a marriage to be with the 'boyfriend' with a huge age gap. That would be bad...." another user quipped. "She should also reach out to step mom and ask for advice on how to please an older man, just really lay it on thick," suggested another commenter. Newsweek reached out to u/Adorable_Cost806 for comment via Reddit. We could not verify the details of the case. Newsweek's "What Should I Do?" offers expert advice to readers. If you have a personal dilemma, let us know via life@ We can ask experts for advice on relationships, family, friends, money and work and your story could be featured on WSID at Newsweek.
