Is Social Media connected to Anxiety and Depression?

Image result for social media risk tumblrSocial Media is a great way to connect with family, friends, and people we look up to. Realistically, it does more harm than good. As learned recently in class, social media can bring many body issues among people, who begin to feel a lot of stress and anxiety over how they look, or how people perceive them. I would be shocked if there was no link between social media and mental health issues.
According to ADAA,
"Researchers have found that using social media obsessively causes more than just anxiety. In fact, testing has found that using too much internet can cause depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), impulsive disorder, problems with mental functioning, paranoia, and loneliness. It is more than just the pressure of sharing things with others, it is also about how you may be comparing your life with others you see on Facebook. Many people see that someone on Facebook who has a great job, excellent husband, and a beautiful home and they feel happy for them. But, others can feel jealous, depressed, or may even feel suicidal about their own life if it is not as “perfect” as those they see on Facebook."
Social media can blur the line between what is real and what is artificial. This can cause extreme problems for many people, who feel their lives don't compare to the more fabulous ones they see online. Social Media is nothing more than people's best moments. The most picture perfect, jealousy-inspiring things are what is being shared. It is important we all take a step back into reality to remember life is so much more than the photos we see on Instagram, Facebook, or Snapchat. Our perception can become warped by social media, and lead us to feel depressed and anxious. There are many dangers associated with technology and it's important we remain aware of them, and self reflect on the way in which we interact with social media.

Source:https://adaa.org/social-media-obsession

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