Design For Life

Advice column: How can I overcome my constant sense of fear and doom?

GP and well-being specialist Dr Mark Rowe advises a reader who is overcome by negative thoughts brought on by the declining state of world affairs

Negative emotion is contagious – nothing spreads like bad news

Dear Expert,

I am stressed, very stressed, and as world events appear to worsening, my mental state is going down with them. I am not giving up the news any time soon, as it’s both personally and professionally essential for me to stay on top of current affairs. I do feel such an abiding sense of doom, though, and I can’t seem to lift my mood beyond every fresh headline of war and murder. What ...