—
Does Facebook cause depression? Have you ever felt down after a long social media binge? These days it is rare to find someone who does not have some sort of social media account, whether it is Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or one of the countless others available.
As humans, it is our natural tendency to want to feel connected to others, and for many, social media seems to fill that void. But does it fill a void or create a new one?
What is Facebook Depression?
Research suggests that excessive social media use can cause people to feel depressed and isolated, have low self-esteem, and feel envious of others. There’s even an unofficial term for this. It’s called “Facebook Depression.” It’s not an official diagnosis, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a real thing.
To be clear, this isn’t the same thing as clinical depression, which is a chemical imbalance in the brain that can lead to suicidal ideation, intrusive thoughts, and feelings of hopelessness and despair. Facebook Depression is more about depressed mood, negative thoughts, irritability, anger, and a compromised sense of self-worth.
Negativity is contagious. When our friends post sad things we tend to vicariously experience their sadness, but without the context of human connection. This is also true of anger — think about those political posts you see that make you want to go on a five-state killing spree. Vitriol and hate has become so commonplace that it’s almost white noise at this point. But that doesn’t mean we are immune to its effects.
Every moment that you waste sifting through social media is time spent in voluntary isolation. Every moment you spend feeling angry about your cousin’s racist memes is one where you are not developing real social connections with living human beings. And all of this stuff tends to make depression worse.
It’s not just divisive or hot-button topics that are the problem. Humans have a bad habit of comparing ourselves to others. We do it all the time without even thinking. In fact, comparison is how the human brain makes sense of the world. Today was colder than yesterday. The oven is hotter than the countertop. That dog is smaller than that other dog. My best friend’s life is so much better than mine.
The problem is that we’re comparing ourselves to a lie. People tend to put their best foot forward on Facebook — look at how awesome my kids are, that sort of thing — and often we can’t help but look at our own lives in a negative light.
Of course, we’re only seeing part of the story. It’s not like people on Facebook traditionally admit to things like domestic violence, failing marriages, and behavioral challenges with children. You rarely see someone brag about their drug addiction. You rarely see someone admit to a mistake they made at work. That’s just not what we do, because social media is nothing if not one big popularity contest.
Social media was not designed to cause depression. It is not coded to ruin a person’s self-esteem. It is not, by definition, an instrument of evil. It is merely a tool. And like any tool, it can be used for good reasons, and for bad ones. We all have to make a choice here, because Facebook is certainly not going to make the choice for us.
Here are some tips to reduce the negative effects of Facebook and other forms of social media:
- Determine the reasons why you use social media? Are you trying to stay in contact with your friends or family? Are you using it because you are bored and trying to pass the time? Do you use it to stay informed? Do you use it to fight with strangers in the comment section? Are you feeling lonely and searching for a connection?
- Set a time limit. Decide what is realistic for you. It might be very difficult to cut down cold turkey. Instead, start by counting how much time you spend on social media and cut it in half. If you spend two hours a day, then try only one hour a day for a full week. If that works, cut it down even further.
- Spend more time with actual people. Since social media can increase feelings of isolation, it’s important to fill your time with healthy social interaction. Grab coffee with a friend or call a loved one on the phone. Spend time at the gym, mall, or a bookstore. These activities can help you feel more connected to the outside world.
- Don’t be afraid of a social media detox. It might be hard to imagine not constantly checking your social media accounts, but remember there was a time when social media didn’t exist at all.
Healthy Coping Skills to Use in Place of Social Media
- Get some fresh air! Being out in nature is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to relax. Take some time away from technology and go on a long hike, spend a day at the beach, or play a team sport.
- Do some writing or artwork. Get in touch with your creative side and use the part of your brain that is ignored when you are using social media. Some simple journaling can do wonders for releasing endorphins.
- Take a few minutes to meditate. Take some long, deep breaths and sit in silence. This might be difficult at first if you are not used to meditating. Be patient with yourself and enjoy taking time to just “be” rather than “do.”
- Reconnect with your inner child. Remember when you were young and social media either did not exist at all or was just beginning? What were some of the things you used to like to do? Maybe you would skip instead of walk, watch silly movies, or dance to music. Give yourself permission to be a kid again and leave your computer and phone at home.
Does Facebook Cause Depression?
Social media is a great way to stay in contact with other people. It also gives us an opportunity to share interesting articles and talk about our successes and failures. Unfortunately, with constant availability, it is easy to go overboard, which can cause problems like depression, isolation, and low self-esteem.
So, does Facebook cause depression? Ultimately, it depends on how you use it. As with anything in life, it comes down to moderation and balance. Facebook Depression is a real thing, but only if you allow it to happen. Take some responsibility for your actions here. If Facebook makes you feel depressed, stop using Facebook. Some things in life are not nearly as complicated as we try to make them.
If you feel like you might be experiencing problems because of too much social media then try to incorporate more balance into your life. If you feel like your Facebook Depression is severe or is not improving, consider seeking professional help. If you need help with depression, go here, or check out Online Therapy that truly works.
What do you think? Does Facebook cause depression? Leave a comment below.
—
Originally published here and reprinted with the author’s permission.
What’s your take on what you just read? Comment below or write a response and submit to us your own point of view or reaction here at the red box, below, which links to our submissions portal.
◊♦◊
Sign up for our Writing Prompts email to receive writing inspiration in your inbox twice per week.
Photo: Shutterstock