research process
The purpose of the researchers was to examine the effect of the events of the war, on the ability to remain attentive, follow work goals and maintain physical comfort. The sample group included dozens of adults aged 20-30, who were not diagnosed with attention deficit disorder before the war, and they and their families did not directly experience the events of October 7 or participate in combat. However, like many citizens of the country, they experienced alarms, entering the protected area and were affected by the sights and the general feeling that accompanied the country’s residents when the war broke out.
The data – “very surprising”
The data shows that a month after the war broke out, about 85% of the subjects developed attention deficits and high-intensity hyperactivity, which exceeded the clinical threshold that characterizes participants with a diagnosed attention disorder. Dr. Nitzan Shahar, a clinical psychologist from the School of Psychology and the School of Neuroscience at Tel Aviv University, explains that the research data are very surprising. Suffering from these disorders in daily life, the symptoms usually tend to be mild and moderate.”
The study also shows that there is a statistical correlation between the severity of the symptoms and increased consumption of news information. “These data are consistent with the popular opinion that increased consumption of news can lead to emotional difficulties when we are in a state of war,” explains the doctor, and emphasizes the importance of maintaining controlled and measured viewing habits. However, he notes that the effect of the symptoms on the participants was limited in time. “As the war progressed and the trauma of October 7 receded, there was naturally a decrease in symptoms, and a return to the starting point.”
The research data also refers to those who were diagnosed with attention deficit disorder even before the war. According to them, this group of subjects actually showed a certain improvement in symptoms and a decrease in difficulties since October 7. “This finding is consistent with the reports of many Israelis, such as soldiers with attention deficit disorder, who reported that they functioned very well in relation to themselves in view of the existence of an activity with a clear goal,” says the doctor. “This is a natural phenomenon of the nervous system, and it is in line with the theory Today you learned about Attention Deficit Disorder, according to which attention difficulties arise from understimulation of the nervous system. In other words, it seems that people with attention deficit disorder perform a little better in times of crisis and national emergency in relation to themselves.”
Dr. Shahar concludes by saying that the findings show that severe trauma may cause even people who were not directly affected by the war to develop significant attention deficits for a limited period. It is possible, or we can devote our time to an activity that is relevant to the national situation, such as volunteering, for example.”