Researchers aimed to investigate how the war affected individuals’ ability to concentrate, achieve work goals and maintain physical comfort. The study included a sample group of adults aged 20-30 who had not been diagnosed with attention deficit disorder prior to the war. While they did not directly experience combat or the events of October 7, they were impacted by alarms, entering secure areas, and the general atmosphere that accompanied the start of hostilities.

The study findings revealed that about 85% of participants developed attention deficits and high-intensity hyperactivity just a month after the war started. These symptoms surpassed the clinical threshold typically associated with an officially diagnosed attention disorder. Dr. Nitzan Shahar, a clinical psychologist from Tel Aviv University, described these findings as surprising, noting that while these symptoms are common in everyday life, they usually appear in a milder form.

The research also found that the severity of symptoms was correlated with increased news consumption. Dr. Shahar emphasized the importance of maintaining controlled and measured news viewing habits, especially during times of war. However, as the war progressed and the trauma of October 7 lessened, there was a decrease in symptoms and a return to baseline levels.

Interestingly, individuals who had been diagnosed with attention deficit disorder before the war showed some improvement in symptoms and a decrease in difficulties after October 7. This phenomenon aligns with the theory that attention difficulties stem from understimulation of the nervous system. Therefore, individuals with this disorder may perform better during times of crisis or national emergency than those without it.

Dr. Shahar concluded by stating that severe trauma such as that experienced during a war may cause individuals who were not directly affected to develop significant attention deficits for a limited period. He suggested engaging in activities relevant to national issues such as volunteering could help mitigate these effects.

In conclusion, this study highlights how even those who were not directly impacted by a traumatic event can still be affected by its aftermath on their mental health wellbeing