Social Media And Its Impact on Mental Health

 

In recent times, social media has become an indispensable part of our lives where we can stay in touch with our friends and family. However, the increasing dependence on social media has also increased the incidence of mental health disorders. People are feeling anxious, depressed, and even lonely over social media use.

Social media helps to stay connected and share information with others. Besides that, it also makes people feel good about themselves. It activates the brain’s reward center that releases the feel-good chemical Dopamine. This feeling, causes people to repeatedly come back and experience that feeling. People feel good when their pictures and posts get likes and positive comments. It also helps to boost the self-esteem of people who are positively viewed on social media.

 

Impact on mental health

1. Use of social media may lead to depression

A technology that was built to bring people closer together can ironically also have an opposite effect. When disagreements and hatred erupt on social media people feel isolated and suffer from anxiety, loneliness, and depression.

2. Social media can lower your self-esteem

In social media people only present the highlights of their lives and others tend to compare their own life with what they see on social media. This leads to a feeling of insecurity and dissatisfaction that ultimately lowers the self-esteem of a person.

3. Inability to control impulse

When access to social media is easily available round the clock, it can affect the concentration and focus on everyday work. It can even disturb the sleep cycle and affect our real relationships.

4. Social media can lead to self-doubt and hatred

People tend to share their life events and deep thoughts to craft an image for themselves on social media. However, if they do not get that external validation that they are seeking from their online friends they have a feeling of self-doubt that damages their confidence.

Like any other technology, social media too has its pros and cons. One has to find the right balance to reap the benefits of this technology. If someone is noticing feelings of depression, anxiety, and frustration, then it is high time that he or she re-evaluates their social media usage habits.