SOCIAL MEDIA ADDICTION

SOCIAL MEDIA ADDICTION

While social media is a helpful way to stay connected with friends and family, it can also become an addiction. If you find yourself always checking your social media accounts or you feel anxious or depressed if you can’t check them, you may be suffering from social media addiction.

Addiction to social media is a condition where someone becomes so dependent on social media that it starts to negatively impact their life. It can cause anxiety, depression, isolation and even lead to other addictions. Social media addiction is a genuine problem that is affecting more and more people every day.

WHAT IS THE ROOT CAUSE OF
SOCIAL MEDIA ADDICTION?

Social media addiction often results from an underlying mental health issue, such as anxiety or depression. It can also become a form of escape from reality, which can lead to further problems down the road. A recurring symptom in social media users is a lack of self-awareness, personal frustration, depression, or irritability—even a lack of attention or motivation.

How do you get addicted to using social media platforms?
People often turn to social media to connect with friends and family, but when their hands are idle, they may spend too much time on it. If someone needs social interaction or feels lonely, they may use social media to fill that void. Introverted or shy people may use social media to connect with others without having to do it face-to-face. This can lead to addiction because social media provides a constant stream of social interaction that can be hard to switch off.

Another major cause of social media addiction is a need for validation. People may feel they need to get likes, comments, and shares to feel good about themselves. This can become a vicious cycle where someone constantly seeks social media approval and never feels satisfied.

WHY IS SOCIAL MEDIA
ADDICTIVE?

Unfortunately, many social networking sites are geared toward addictiveness. The reason for that is primarily due to the business model used by social media companies. The app is entirely free. The companies that run the social media apps find ways for it to generate revenue beyond the simple sale of the app. Generally described in the terms of service agreements, social media platforms collect and sell user information to advertisers. As people continue to use social networks, more data can be sold to them. Using social media gives marketers more chances to reach you.

HOW DOES SOCIAL MEDIA AFFECT THE BRAIN?

Social media addiction can be physical and psychological, impacting the mind. The brain’s reward system and its chemical messengers affect decision-making and emotions. When people experience something rewarding, like validation from a social media site or using addictive substances, their neurons activate, and dopamine levels go up. Therefore the brain gets rewarded and will start relating the experience to the positive reinforcement response. As a result, addictions to experiences can be just as real as to alcohol and substances.

Is social media addiction considered a disorder?
Due to the overwhelming evidence that social media affects someone’s mental health, there is no debate that excessive social media use can become an actual disorder. Some experts believe that continued social media usage should be classified as an impulse control disorder, while others think it should be considered a an addiction. Either way, it can become extremely harmful to your mental health and is absolutely a disorder that needs treatment.

WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF
EXCESSIVE SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE?

When someone becomes addicted to social media, it can have several negative consequences. First, social media addiction can lead to a loss of productivity. People addicted to social media often spend more time on it than they should, which can interfere with their work or school.

Second, social media addiction can lead to social isolation. People addicted to social media often spend more time on social media than interacting with actual people. This can lead to social isolation and extreme loneliness.

Finally, social media addiction can lead to mental health problems. People addicted to social media are far more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and other severe mental health disorders. People addicted to social media are also more likely to develop addictions to drugs or alcohol.

DANGEROUS PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS
OF SOCIAL MEDIA

Self-Disclosure
In a new study conducted by Harvard University, it was discovered that self-disclosure can activate the feelings as during addiction to certain drugs. The study states that this is due to the “dopamine hit” people experience when their posts receive likes or comments.

Participants’ brains were scanned while they looked at pictures of themselves and read positive or negative comments about their posts. They were also asked to rate how much they agreed with statements such as “I cannot live without social media” and “I often feel anxious when I am not able to check my social media accounts.”

The results showed that self-disclosure activates the same brain regions as those activated by drugs such as cocaine and nicotine. In addition, the more participants agreed with statements about being addicted to social media, the greater the activity in these brain regions.

This research suggests that social media may be more addictive than previously thought and may have dangerous psychological effects on users who frequently engage in self-disclosure.

Parasocial Relationships
Parasocial connections are one-sided relationships in which one person offers emotional energy, interest, and time while the other, the persona, is oblivious to their presence.

Because the internet allows users to access social media at any time of day or night, parasocial relationships have grown in popularity with internet communities. This might be due to the feeling that knowing the personas makes you feel more “informed,” or because interacting with them is seen as a rejection deterrent. For some people, being one-sided is a blessing from having overly complicated complementary relationships in their real lives. There may be some benefits to having a parasocial relationship, but there can also be some dangerous consequences.

The most obvious danger is that the persona can reject the interest and energy the other person is offering. This is especially hurtful if the rejection is public, as it can lead to feelings of humiliation and embarrassment.

Another danger is that the one-sided nature of the relationship can lead to an unhealthy obsession. This can manifest as stalking behavior or constantly trying to find ways to contact or get attention from the persona. In extreme cases, it can even lead to thoughts and plans of harming the persona in order to gain their attention.

Lastly, parasocial relationships can have a negative effect on one’s real-life relationships. If someone is spending more time and energy on their parasocial relationship than their actual relationship, it can lead to problems. Additionally, if the parasocial relationship is with someone who has different values than the person does, it can cause conflict in the real-life relationship.

HOW CAN YOU PREVENT ADDICTION
TO SOCIAL MEDIA SITES?

There are a few things you can do to prevent social media addiction and protect your mental health. First, set boundaries for yourself. Set limits for how much time you would like to spend on social media each day, and stick to them.

Second, be mindful of the content that you’re consuming. Be aware of the risks associated with social media use, such as cyberbullying and social comparison. Ensure you’re only following accounts that make you feel good and avoid accounts that make you feel bad.

Third, make sure you use social media for positive purposes, such as connecting with friends and family. Go for walks, or participate in other outdoor activities. Find other things that don’t involve social media. This will help balance the amount of time you’re spending on social media and give your mind a break.

WHAT ARE THE BEST OPTIONS FOR
SOCIAL MEDIA ADDICTION TREATMENT?

The best treatment option for social media addiction will vary from person to person. It is important to find an option that you are comfortable with and that fits your needs.

There are a few different treatment options available for social media addiction. Some people may benefit from therapy or counseling, while others may need to attend a rehab center where they can practice self-help strategies that can also be helpful. Medical assessments and professional opinions will help you determine which is right for you.

If you’re struggling with social media addiction, seek professional help. There are many treatment centers available that can help you get your life back on track.

WHEN SHOULD YOU ATTEND
A REHAB CENTER FOR SOCIAL MEDIA ADDICTION?

The best time to attend a rehab center for social media addiction is as soon as it’s negatively impacting your life. Treatment will help you understand and address the underlying causes of your social media addiction.

If you’re experiencing any of the following, you may be suffering from social media use disorder, and it may be time to seek professional treatment advice:

• Excessive time spent on social media platforms or social media apps. More than two hours per day is considered unhealthy.
• You can’t go a day without checking a social media platform.
• You feel like you can’t live without social media.
• Social media is interfering with your work or school life.
• You’re using social media in a way that’s harmful to you (e.g., oversharing personal information)

HOW LONG DOES RECOVERY FROM
SOCIAL MEDIA ADDICTION TAKE?

The length of recovery will vary from person to person and depend on how severe the addiction is. Some people may require only a few months of treatment, while others may need longer-term care. However, recovery is possible, and many resources are available to help you get started.

A treatment program will usually involve some form of counseling or therapy from a specific treatment provider, as well as [life skills training] and holistic lifestyle changes. Cognitive behavioral therapy is particularly successful in treating unhealthy social media use. But there are many treatment plans available. The important thing is to seek help and stick with the treatment program that is best for you.

WHERE DO YOU SEEK HELP FOR SEVERE SOCIAL MEDIA ADDICTION?

If you find social media addictive and it is having a negative impact on your life, you should seek professional help. Some of the best places to seek treatment include:

Addiction Treatment Facility
Psyclarity Health offers many rehab facilities that specialize in treating social media addiction and other behavioral disorders that may stem from it. These centers provide a variety of therapies and counseling services to help you overcome your addiction.

We provide private, professional rehabilitation treatment. We understand that seeking treatment for addiction or mental health issues can be a difficult decision. Our team of experts will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan that meets your specific needs. You’ll receive all the support you need to make a successful recovery. View our locations page for a specific treatment center listing.

Therapists
If you don’t want to go to a treatment center, you can also seek counseling and therapy from specialized treatment providers. A certified addiction professional can help you overcome various addictive behaviors and are a good option if you want to address the root causes of your addiction. Our programs are designed to help you regain control of your life. You will learn how to use social media in a healthy way that does not interfere with your work, school, or personal relationships.

Online Resources
Many online resources are available for people struggling with social media addiction. These include websites, forums, and blogs where you can find information and support.

If you are unsure where to start, your best bet is to book a consultation. Speak to one of our therapists to learn more about our rehabilitation treatment facilities and how we can help you get back on track to a healthy life. They can help you find the best treatment center or specialized therapist to meet your needs and get you started on your recovery journey.