Common Conditions Chapter 8: Problematic Social Media + Screen Use
Welcome back to our common conditions chapters where I go over common conditions that I see walk into my office.
This Chapter is on Problematic Screen and Social Media Use!
While not an official addiction, it is a rising concern that has a growing literature base!
As per usual, lets start by defining the issues and who can be impacted!
Anyone can be impacted! We tend to see it more in teens and young adults who grew up with smart phones, but no adult is immune!
The issue at hand is increased and unproductive use of social media or screens. This is not ‘regular use’, but it is use the interferes with something in our lives. Places where problematic use can interfere:
Sleep
Work (or our ability to focus at work)
Quality time with family and friends
If the problematic use is interfering, we can tend to see it create some of the following issues:
decreased sleep time and quality
more eye strain
neck and posture changes
decreased ability to focus
Increased anxiety and self comparison
Decreased mood and self esteem
Increased need to check the screen, app, or notifications
and more!
But ALL my friends are also doom-scrolling for hours!
Cue the “if all your friends jumped off a bridge, would you?”
But, seriously, this is why I am bringing problematic use up. It is rampant! So many people are struggling with it and so our definition of regular use is skewed. Just because your coworkers also have bedtime revenge time and doom scroll, does not mean that it is not a problem for them too.
Brain Rot was not the Oxford 2024 Word of the year for nothing!
We truly are strting to see the effects on mood and realtionships from problematic use. It is interfering in our abailtiy to socialize, be present, be kind to ourselves and live!
So, if you feel like it is interfering with things, or someone in your life has said it is an issue for you, it may be time to reach out and ask for help!
I can help you review your digital habits and create a personalized plan to get your use more balanced and help reduce the impact it is having on the rest of your life!