9 Signs Of Social Media Obsession | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

9 Signs You’re Suffering From Social Media-Induced Depression

And you really need to take a break from it all.

325
9 Signs You’re Suffering From Social Media-Induced Depression
Photo by Kev Costello on Unsplash

Ever scroll in your feeds constantly comparing your life to someone else's highlights? Do you have those times where you are at an event or party and you want to get the perfect picture to document the occasion? More rather, do you agonize over documenting the whole thing and then completely forget about the reason you are there or forget to actually enjoy it? How about checking in on Facebook or Instagram constantly? What if you can't check? Do you feel anxious? Even after you posted something if you haven't garnered enough "likes" or comments, do you get upset or just erase the post?

If you said yes to many of these questions, you may want to look into how much time you are spending on Social Media and what it's doing to your brain. You may be putting yourself into a depression and not even realize it!

1. You're addicted to your smartphone and checking social media platforms.

Giphy

A sign to know that you may be at risk of depression by social media? You're addicted when you constantly have to have your phone on, logged into several platforms, and checking the latest things to hit the internet.

2. Keeping in touch with family and friends by commenting on status updates instead of on the phone or in person.

Giphy

If this isn't a big sign, I don't know what is.

3. Checking social media first thing in the morning and right before you fall asleep.

Giphy

I think most of us are all guilty of this, even if it's just to set your alarm you may do a swipe and get into a rabbit hole that will keep you up for hours into the night, or in bed all day long.

4. Feelings of panic if you go several hours without checking social media.

Giphy

If you're having feelings of dread from being apart from your phone for longer than a few hours, you may need a little bit of help.

5. Obsessing over the best way to "capture the moment" so you can post about it.

Giphy

We all live in an age where we want the perfect picture to summarize or document what's happening that we forget to actually just be in the moment.

6. Often comparing yourself to people online.

Giphy

One of the biggest things we probably don't realize is that we are comparing everyone else's highlight reels to our story. What we see online is usually filtered so heavily, that we put so much stock into going at a different pace than our own.

7. Getting upset if people don't comment on your updates.

Giphy

If you get really irritated or sad when you post something that doesn't garner a lot of response, you may want to rethink who your post is for.

8. Taking down posts that don't draw a lot of reaction.

Giphy

Much like not getting the response you want, you'll go straight to delete it as if it never happened. Or, it may be that it drew too much negative attention you don't want to associate yourself with.

9. Checking in on social media whenever you have a spare moment.

Giphy

There is usually always a time and a place to check your social media, but if you're checking it at times where you should be doing other things, you may have an issue.

Some, if not all, of these habits, may be leading you into a depression hole that is hard to get out of. We get that not everyone who uses social media has a mental health issue. There are people who just really enjoy seeing photos of their loved ones or they like the latest viral pet videos. However, being too dependent on social media can be a problem for some and make mental health problems like anxiety and depression worse.

If you feel you are in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. It is a free, 24-hour hotline, at 1.800.273.TALK (8255). Your call will be connected to the crisis center nearest to you. If you are in an emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. Counseling On Demand does not offer crisis counseling or emergency services.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Lifestyle

The Great Christmas Movie Debate

"A Christmas Story" is the star on top of the tree.

784
The Great Christmas Movie Debate
Mental Floss

One staple of the Christmas season is sitting around the television watching a Christmas movie with family and friends. But of the seemingly hundreds of movies, which one is the star on the tree? Some share stories of Santa to children ("Santa Claus Is Coming to Town"), others want to spread the Christmas joy to adults ("It's a Wonderful Life"), and a select few are made to get laughs ("Elf"). All good movies, but merely ornaments on the Christmas tree of the best movies. What tops the tree is a movie that bridges the gap between these three movies, and makes it a great watch for anyone who chooses to watch it. Enter the timeless Christmas classic, "A Christmas Story." Created in 1983, this movie holds the tradition of capturing both young and old eyes for 24 straight hours on its Christmas Day marathon. It gets the most coverage out of all holiday movies, but the sheer amount of times it's on television does not make it the greatest. Why is it,
then? A Christmas Story does not try to tell the tale of a Christmas miracle or use Christmas magic to move the story. What it does do though is tell the real story of Christmas. It is relatable and brings out the unmatched excitement of children on Christmas in everyone who watches. Every one becomes a child again when they watch "A Christmas Story."

Keep Reading...Show less
student thinking about finals in library
StableDiffusion

As this semester wraps up, students can’t help but be stressed about finals. After all, our GPAs depends on these grades! What student isn’t worrying about their finals right now? It’s “goodbye social life, hello library” time from now until the end of finals week.

1. Finals are weeks away, I’m sure I’ll be ready for them when they come.

Keep Reading...Show less
Christmas tree
Librarian Lavender

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas is one of my personal favorite holidays because of the Christmas traditions my family upholds generation after generation. After talking to a few of my friends at college, I realized that a lot of them don't really have "Christmas traditions" in their family, and I want to help change that. Here's a list of Christmas traditions that my family does, and anyone can incorporate into their family as well!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Phases Of Finals

May the odds be ever in your favor.

2068
Does anybody know how to study
Gurl.com

It’s here; that time of year when college students turn into preschoolers again. We cry for our mothers, eat everything in sight, and whine when we don’t get our way. It’s finals, the dreaded time of the semester when we all realize we should have been paying attention in class instead of literally doing anything else but that. Everyone has to take them, and yes, unfortunately, they are inevitable. But just because they are here and inevitable does not mean they’re peaches and cream and full of rainbows. Surviving them is a must, and the following five phases are a reality for all majors from business to art, nursing to history.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition

10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

3301
How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

It’s that time of year again when college students live at the library all week, cramming for tests that they should have started studying for last month. Preparing to spend all day at the library takes much consideration and planning. Use these tips to help get you through the week while spending an excessive amount of time in a building that no one wants to be in.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments