Detroit Today: Understanding fear, tribalism amid the Israel-Hamas war

October 24, 2023

Where does that fear — particularly group fear — come from? And how does the media, social media and other institutions stoke our fear?

Palestinian women stand next to the body of a person killed in the Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip in Rafah on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023.

Palestinian women stand next to the body of a person killed in the Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip in Rafah on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023.

Watching violence play out in the Middle East over the last few weeks has intensified fears within both Jewish and Arab American communities here in Michigan.
Scientists say our brains react to danger the same regardless of where that danger occurs. The conflict between Hamas and Israel, though far away, feels to many like a conflict endangering the lives of people here in southeast Michigan. But where does that fear — particularly group fear — come from? How does the media, social media and other institutions stoke our fear?
Arash Javanbakht, a psychiatrist and director of the Wayne State University Stress, Trauma, and Anxiety Research Clinic (STARC), joined Detroit Today on Tuesday to discuss why people are afraid right now, and how to manage that fear.

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Guest:

Dr. Arash Javanbakht is a psychiatrist and serves as the director of the Wayne State University Stress, Trauma, and Anxiety Research Clinic (STARC). He is the author of the book, “Afraid: Understanding the Purpose of Fear and Harnessing the Power of Anxiety.” He says when people watch violence online, it can intensify their fear.

“I really encourage people who are interested and want to know what’s happening in the Middle East to go read, to go learn about the history of what has been happening rather than just looking at your friends’ Instagram posts,” said Javanbakht.

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