Feel Numb About The News? Here's How To Defeat 'Outrage Fatigue'

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. 

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.

“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.”

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.”