Social media is increasingly becoming a significant cause of anxiety, depression and stress. App groups (from Kindergarten all the way to College), Facebook, Instagram etc. We now have to carry the burden of friendships from kindergarten up till now. No generation before us has been saddled with so much weight.
Let us discuss some of ‘common sense’ issues and later some signs/symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Obituaries- So you wake up and check your social media page and see that someone has died with pictures et al. He or she was 3 years behind you in grade 6. You are shocked at such an early death of someone you know. But then, do you really know him? You start cracking your brain to put the face to the name but you fail. Your morning and perhaps your day is ruined.
Parties- People that you chat with regularly on FB or WhatsApp unconsciously think you are indeed friends and expect you to put your money where your mouth is. So, they invite you over the internet. If you can’t make it they are sad, if you do make it then you are sad.
Vacations- Friends and friends of friends post pictures taken on vacation all the time on social media. Nothing wrong with going on vacation but going on vacation because of the “Joneses” is not a good idea. So ask yourself, did a vacation at this time occur to you before you saw the “Joneses” vacation picture? If no, then —.
Cyberbully is not only among teenagers. It is prevalent amongst adults too. These days ‘friends’ get angry because you did not ‘like’ the picture they posted. If you like the picture of a friend your friend has ‘defriended’, then your friend is no longer friendly with you. Worse still, some adults who are still psychologically immature may become upset with you for your opinion and send you offensive messages that in turn provoke you. I have seen a jilted lover post a video on social media meant for the ex-lover. This can be a cause of extreme anxiety or depression.
Self-Esteem: This is all we bring to social media and many times this is what unfriendly people try to take away from you. Don’t fall for the trap. They may start by asking you a stupid question to lull you into a false sense of superiority but once you start talking, they will engage you to destroy your self-esteem. There will always be bad people out there so be careful. The internet can be a nasty place to play.
Birthdays: There is a feeling out there that you have to at least say happy birthday to people whose birthday it is. Even social media prompts you to do so. A social media culture has therefore emerged where people whose birthday it is expect you to send them a message. People get angry sometimes if you don’t and you may be angry too if people don’t do the same to you especially if you did send them a message on their birthday.
Pictures: This is the most interesting of all. Some psychologists have actually linked people who frequently post their pictures on social media with low self-esteem. Pictures of friends and families looking so happy are not always true, people who are not doing so well are the ones who go to extreme to present the ‘I am doing so well picture’. Even if this was the case, don’t become depressed because you saw a picture. Remember you don’t know the story behind the picture.
Work & Family: people have been known to lose their jobs because of social media. Don’t post things about your work on social media. Imagine the stress that follows! Don’t give precious family time to social media.
These are some symptoms of Anxiety- Excessive worry about work, school or health, inability to control the worry, the worry affecting your daily living, work, relationships. Being easily tired, problems concentrating, irritable, muscle tension, problem falling asleep or staying asleep and or unsatisfying sleep.
These are some symptoms of Depression- Change in sleeping pattern or eating habits, feeling of guilt or worthlessness, loss of interest in life and loss of sex drive.
If social media affects you negatively, reduce the amount of time you spend on it or leave it completely.
See your doctor if you think you have any of these symptoms, they can be managed.
