Does social media affect your Mental Health?
In the last blog the concept of Social Comparison was discussed. However, we didn’t really dive into what happens to one’s self when this concept is happening. How can social comparing in social media contribute to mental health, or if there is any relation to social media and mental health?
So before we get right into it, saying this as an anxious individual, if you yourself suffer from anxiety or any mental health issues related to anxiety, read at your own risk. Topics on mental health will be mentioned in the following paragraphs.
As discussed previously social media offers benefits for society by giving access and connection to people, services, knowledge and opportunities that would previously not have been possible, all because it is a powerful communication tool. However, with such great benefits also come sad truths, as social media is also the cause of adolescent mental health, which focus on anxiety, low self-esteem and body image concerns, just to name a few. Such qualities can make an individual feel as if they are drowning in their own turmoil.
There could be many reasons why social media has been linked with increased anxiety and depressive symptoms, negative body image, sleep problems and cyberbullying, however increased social comparison is one of the most powerful. As discussed in a previous blog, social comparison effects the self-esteem, our sense of self is derived through comparing ourselves with others. It kind of works both ways, if you see people who are worse odd or less skilled than yourself, this can raise self-esteem; If you see someone who has better skills and has the ‘perfect life’ then it can lower your self-esteem.
So what happens exactly when we self compare. Looking at Fig.1, you can see a small chart that illustrates the role that social media and social comparison in relation to mental health problems (Williams and Garland, 2002).
Since we live in an age where it’s almost rare not to have a form of online presence, social media makes it easier for social comparison to occur. Social comparison done in the real world usually involves the self and a few others, while the digital universe of social media presents almost limitless potential for people to compare themselves with others.
Social media is not the cause of these mental health problems but rather think of it as a way of how distress comes into play as it causes unhelpful patterns of thinking. It can also increase vulnerability in upward social comparisons, which lead to self-disappointment. Thoughts affect emotional and physical feelings and behaviour. Changing the unhelpful thought can positively influence how the person feels and behaves; so, for example, the thought that ‘other people are better than me’ could be challenged by educating the person about the effects of social media on self-presentation and social comparison. Increasing the person’s understanding may reduce the distance between the actual self and social media-driven ideal, or expose the ideal as an illusion.
It’s important to keep one thing in mind; when we see these perfect lives and perfect people online, it’s important to note that they’re only projecting what they want you to be. They have problems, they have issues and their lives are far from perfect, so think about that before you start to compare yourself with what you see on your screen.
References:
Nursing times. (2020). How use of social media and social comparison affect mental health. Retrieved 5 June, 2021, from https://www.nursingtimes.net/news/mental-health/how-use-of-social-media-and-social-comparison-affect-mental-health-24-02-2020/
Williams C, Garland A (2002) A cognitive–behavioural therapy assessment model for use in everyday clinical practice. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment; 8, 172–179.
