Social media plays vital role in connecting people regardless of distance & time. It has been providing different facilities and advantages to mankind including enhanced communication system, global connectivity and foster personal and professional growth for both business and consumer sector. one side it helps people to assess information in seconds on contrary it is also boosting insecurity, self-doubts, diffidence and reckless surfing & scrolling. However, this trend is responsible for augments poor socio-psychological well-being of people.
Often people involve in social media consumption supernumerary that they start considering social media situation as their actual life situation. For-instance a doubt hit in their mind related to their personality they post picture among their circle to seek reassurance. Gradually this tendency will take them into the vicious cycle of obsessions, compulsions & seeking reassurance from the outer world. They rely onto other people to feel superior & satisfactory rather than their own self but here we have to understand that validation comes from within. There is substantial evidence that the social media can causes mental health issues like anxiety, depression, OCD & influence overall personality and inculcate suicide-related behaviour.
TRIGGERS & EXACERBATING FACTORS
CONSTANT NOTIFICATION AND UPDATES:
The continuous stream of information can trigger anxiety and stress, fueling OCD symptoms
PRESURE TO BE PERFECT:
Social media often presents unrealistic expectations, leading to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem, which can exacerbate OCD symptoms like perfectionism.
COMPARING ONESELF TO OTHER:
Social media platforms foster comparisons, which can lead to intrusive thoughts, doubts and insecurity, common in individual with OCD.
FEAR OF MISSING OUT:
The need to constantly check social media can create a sense of anxiety, driving individuals with OCD to engage I compulsive behaviour
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Research suggests that individual with higher level of OCD symptoms may experience increased psychological distress & fatigue due to FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) on social media. By setting boundaries, practicing self-compassion, focusing on real-life connections, individuals can reduce the risk of having negative impact on their mental health & cultivate healthy socio-psychological well-being.
Credit: – BY VISHNUPRIYA SHARMA
BBRFI Intern, ( BA, B.ED, CTET, MA FINAL)