Addicted to Social Media? Here’s Why a Therapist Can Help

In today’s digital world, a new type of addiction has emerged – social media addiction. The constant need to share and see what others are doing has left many people with feelings of low self-esteem, depression and anxiety. Understanding the negative effects of extreme social media use and learning how to break free from social media addiction is critical to gaining control of your life and well-being. Here are some issues related to social media addiction in which a therapist can help:

Social anxiety

Many people who suffer with social anxiety turn to social media as an easier way to communicate and maintain relationships. While social media can be an outlet to connect with others, it should not be a substitute for building healthy, meaningful relationships. Therapy can help you address social anxiety issues and gain the confidence to form bonds with others beyond social media interactions. By working on social anxiety, you will naturally decrease your dependency on social media and reduce online consumption.

Low self-esteem

It’s been widely documented that excessive social media use can be detrimental to self-esteem, especially for individuals already suffering from self-esteem issues. Because the nature of social media is to look at what other people are doing – and compare their lives to yours – social media addiction can trigger feelings of worthlessness and depression. Working with a therapist can help you get to the root of these issues and understand the ramifications social media is having on your mental well-being.

Loneliness

One of the most surprising effects of social media addiction is an increased perception of loneliness. There are many reasons why social media can evoke a sense of loneliness; however, the one most commonly associated with it is known as “fear of missing out.” If you find yourself constantly checking social media updates, you’re probably finding it difficult to be content with your life in the present moment. A therapist can give you guidance and tools that will help you increase your mindfulness and take steps in your own life to feel at ease.

Research continues to show that social media addiction can often cause or trigger the mental health issues above. Being proactive about overcoming social media addiction will ultimately improve the quality of your relationships and your life.

Are you experiencing any of the issues above? Social media addiction may to blame. Schedule a consultation with Joseph Montaldi, LCSW, based in San Antonio, Texas, at (210) 722-4714.