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Social media impact and smartwatch monitoring: Prevalence and early markers of PTSD and anxiety following mass traumatic events.

Social media impact and smartwatch monitoring: Prevalence and early markers of PTSD and anxiety following mass traumatic events. PLOS mental health Yamin, D., Lev-Ari, S., Mofaz, M., Elias, R., Toker, S., Spiegel, D., Yechezkel, M., Brandeau, M. L., Shmueli, E. 2025; 2 (9): e0000195

Abstract

We investigated PTSD, anxiety, and stress in individuals indirectly exposed to the October 7 events in Israel. Our study utilized data from a three-year prospective study of 4,806 smartwatch users who completed daily questionnaires, and a panel study surveying 2,536 individuals twice. Stress symptoms were measured daily, while PCL-5 and GAD-7 questionnaires assessed PTSD and anxiety prevalence. After October 7, stress levels soared, with PTSD prevalence reaching 22.9-36.0% at 7-8 weeks post-event, and remaining exceptionally high at 15.9-24.7% after 7 months. We found a strong correlation between increased PTSD risk and extensive media consumption. Smartwatch data revealed early PTSD markers such as pronounced increases in stress levels and declines in mood, physical activity, and sleep quality within the first week. This study underscores the significant impact of media exposure on PTSD development and the value of continuous physiological monitoring for early detection of PTSD after mass traumatic events.

View details for DOI 10.1371/journal.pmen.0000195

View details for PubMedID 41661960