How Doomscrolling Can Affect Mental Health: Understanding the Impact

Most of us have been there: reading negative news, perusing social media sites, we lose track of time and find ourselves spiraling over distressing information. Scrolling on our phones can certainly be a time drain, but it can also have a negative effect on our mental health. In this article we'll examine how a barrage of bad news and outrage clickbait news stories can impact daily life and how you can take back control.

Introduction to Doomscrolling

Doomscrolling is a harmful habit of endlessly scrolling through negative news stories and social media posts, worsened by the pandemic and patterns of ongoing bad news. This behavior can trigger anxiety, stress, depression, and panic and negatively impact mental health.

Awareness of doomscrolling’s negative impact on mental health is the first step to curbing this unhealthy habit. Understanding the effects of doomscrolling on mental health can help you take control of your internet and social media usage, while recognizing the signs of doomscrolling, such as difficulty sleeping and elevated blood pressure, can prompt you to seek help.

Understanding Doomscrolling Behavior

Doomscrolling involves compulsively consuming negative news and information on social media, leading to a vicious cycle of negative thoughts and feelings. This behavior is often driven by a desire to stay informed but can quickly become an addictive habit.

Social media platforms can perpetuate doomscrolling by serving users negative content, triggering panic attacks, and releasing the stress hormone cortisol. Negative headlines sell, and social media and news sites purposely use knowledge of human behavior and digital technology to keep eyes on their sites.

When you understand the role of social media in doomscrolling, it can help you set digital boundaries and reduce your exposure to negative information. Identifying the underlying causes of doomscrolling, such as fear and anxiety, may also help you address the root of the problem.

The Effects of Doomscrolling on Mental Health

Doomscrolling can have serious consequences for mental health, including increased anxiety, depression, psychological distress, and poor life satisfaction. Constant exposure to negative news and social media posts can lead to feelings of hopelessness and despair. And because applied research finds that anger and fear hold the attention, companies spend millions on promoting the behavior of doom scrolling to get advertising dollars.

Doomscrolling can also affect physical health, leading to stress-related physical problems like difficulty sleeping, low appetite, and elevated blood pressure. Understanding the link between doomscrolling and mental health disorders can be the first step toward building healthier habits and protecting your well-being.

Assessing Doomscrolling Habits

Assessing doomscrolling habits involves recognizing the amount of time spent online and the type of content being consumed. You can use tools like screen time trackers and website blockers to monitor and limit your social media usage.

Set time limits and take regular breaks from social media to help reduce the negative impact of doomscrolling. It may help to remove social media apps on your phone and only access sites from a tablet or computer.

Identify triggers for doomscrolling, such as stress and boredom, so you can develop alternate strategies to manage these feelings. For example, you might:

• Journal
• Go for a walk outside
• Read a book
• Do a deep breathing exercise
• Take a few minutes to meditate and bring your mind into the present moment
• Do a few yoga poses

Using a doomscrolling scale to assess the severity of the behavior can also help track your progress and adjust your strategies.

Breaking the Doomscrolling Cycle

Breaking the doomscrolling cycle requires a conscious effort to change behavior and develop healthier habits. You can start by setting boundaries around their social media usage, such as limiting their time online or avoiding certain types of content.

Next, engage in activities that promote well-being and build mental resilience, such as exercise or meditation, which help reduce the urge to doomscroll. Seek support from friends, family, or a mental health professional who can provide the tools and motivation you may need to overcome doomscrolling.

Finally, work on developing a growth mindset and practicing self-compassion, which can help you overcome the negative feelings associated with doomscrolling. Remember, harmful doomscrolling behaviors are not an inherent weakness but an exploited human trait that you can learn to control.

The Role of Social Media in Doomscrolling

Social media platforms play a significant role in perpetuating doomscrolling by serving users negative content and triggering stress hormones like cortisol. Algorithms used by social media platforms can create a vicious cycle of negative news and social media posts, making it difficult for individuals to stop doomscrolling.

Understanding how social media algorithms work can help individuals take steps to reduce their exposure to negative content. Using social media platforms in a way that promotes mental well-being, such as following positive accounts or joining supportive groups, can help you develop a healthier relationship with social media.

Recognizing the impact of social media on mental health can help you make informed decisions about their social media usage.

Creating a Healthy Relationship with Technology

Creating a healthy relationship with technology involves setting boundaries and being mindful of the content being consumed. Here are some things you can do to avoid addictive behaviors and turn a bad habit into something more neutral:

• Use tools like website blockers and app limitations to control your social media usage and reduce your exposure to negative information and news stories
• Engage in activities that promote mental well-being, such as exercise or spending time in nature.
• Maintain strong social relationships with friends and family.
• Practice digital literacy and critical thinking to better evaluate the information you consume online and make informed decisions about your social media usage.
• Develop a healthy online presence can help individuals promote mental well-being

Addressing Doomscrolling's Impact on Mental Health Issues in Coral Gables, FL

Doomscrolling is a serious issue that can cause real psychological distress in both older and younger adults. By recognizing the signs and seeking professional help, you can stop scrolling, reduce anxiety, and learn to pay more attention to the world around you.

At Williamsburg Therapy Group, our clinical practice of doctoral-level Coral Gables psychotherapists allows you to work with a trained professional that can create a treatment plan and offer a variety of practical strategies, healthy coping skills, and techniques that will allow you to address any anxiety or depression symptoms and build a healthier online experience.

With the right support, it’s possible to successfully overcome spending too much time online, improving mental health and well-being. If you have been thinking about seeking help, reach out to our customer service coordinator to get matched with a professional who can offer tools and strategies to manage anxiety and help you take on a more positive view of the world.