Many of my psychotherapy patients are reporting a variety of emotional problems, which they believe are caused by their exposure to media reports on the war in the Mideast. Increased bouts of anxiety, depression, anger, sadness, and obsessive thinking have been reported. A sense of helplessness and personal fear while observing televised reports of barbaric atrocities is common.

Obvious suggestions to patients to quiet such disturbing reactions to media reports include : 1) reducing or eliminating exposure to all media war presentations, 2) openly sharing their feelings of despair with friends and relatives, 3) recognizing that such feelings are normal human emotions, 4) participating in civil protests, and 5) becoming active with charitable groups that raise funds and provide other necessary goods for the combatants and their families. This last recommendation appears to be the most accessible to many patients.

I enhance it by making the following suggestions :

1. Choose a charity or activist movement that is most consistent with your individual values. Resist being influenced by other people's ideas and let your own voice be heard.

2. Attempt to get clarity from the recipient(s) of your contribution(s) as to exactly how your gift will be used. For example, will funds that you contribute be used to buy clothing, food, medicines, etc.

3. Practice using your powers of imagery to fantasize exactly how your contribution will be used. In other words, imagine a soldier eating a special meal that you supplied with your gift, or imagine a family being able to send to a member of their family in combat a care package of clothing that you supplied. Or imagine a civilian victim of an attack being treated in a special medical facility, supported by your contribution.

4. The Important thing is that you actually see your contribution being used. Thinking about it is good but not enough! You need to actually clearly visualize how in real life your contribution is being experienced and valued. Be creative in your attempt to visualize.

5. Repeat this visualization practice at least several times a day, for one or two minutes each time. Several patients have reported that their feelings of helplessness, as well as feelings of sadness and anger, have been reduced substantially by regularly using this visualization exercise.

They feel empowered to make a difference!