Doomscrolling is a term that refers to the habit of scrolling through social media feeds and news sites without stopping, even when you don’t want to see something.
It’s a form of compulsive behaviour that can cause stress, anxiety, and depression. It’s also known as “digital overuse,” “digital addiction,” “cyberaddiction”, or “screen addiction.” If you’re facing similar issues and want to start your journey towards better mental health, contact getdiazepam today!
But as for doomscrolling, it is considered the new form of addiction that has emerged due to the increasing use of smartphones and social media platforms.
Table of Contents
Doomscrolling- A modern-day dilemma
Doomscrolling is a mental health problem that has become widespread today due to the overuse of technology and social media platforms. It has been found that people who are addicted to doomscrolling have experienced several adverse effects on their lives, including depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts.
According to studies, doomscrollers spend more than 12 hours per day on their devices, leading them to neglect other activities like interacting with people and participating in physical activities. Unfortunately, this also causes them to lose interest in school or work, which can lead them into debt or even bankruptcy if they continue to spend money on games.
Many factors contribute to doomscrolling, including the fact that your experiences are similar to those you see in others.
Consequences of Doomscrolling
Doomscrolling is not just a problem for people who suffer from depression themselves. It can also happen to those who know someone who does and can be triggered by your thoughts about it.
Some of the negative effects of doomscrolling include:
1-Feeling lonely and isolated from social support networks
2-Experiencing low self-esteem, loneliness, and lack of motivation
3-Having difficulty concentrating or focusing on tasks at hand
4-Feeling hopeless about finding solutions or solutions that others have found for this problem
5-Feeling helpless and hopeless about finding help for this problem
Why do people Doomscroll?
Doomscrolling can be a result of living with a mental illness or experiencing traumatic events such as bullying, abuse, or death. Doomscrolling is also associated with feeling overwhelmed by everything around us. The constant bombardment of stimuli online can make it difficult for someone living with mental illness to concentrate on any one thing at a time. It also makes it difficult for them to plan because they don’t know when something good will happen.
When someone is dealing with depression or anxiety, they may have trouble sleeping because they are worried about what will happen tomorrow or because they don’t feel like doing anything, particularly that day. They may also feel extremely sad all the time or even suicidal, so they can’t concentrate on anything else besides getting their feelings out of their system immediately.
Signs that you are Doomscrolling
If you feel as if you’re also caught in the phenomenon of doomscrolling, there are clear signs that can help you figure out if you’re doing it. Here are a few warning signs:
1- You feel like you can’t stop doing it. Whenever you feel like closing the app, you subconsciously end up opening the same application again.
2- You have lost all hope and motivation to improve yourself or your life in any way.
3- You get angry at people who aren’t as bad off as you are or don’t have as many problems as you do.
4You blame other people for their problems instead of taking responsibility for yours.
5-You spend all your time online, watching television, playing video games, and/or reading depressing stories online
How to stop Doomscrolling?
Doomscrolling is when you keep scrolling down the page, never stopping. It’s like a never-ending scroll, and you feel like you’re going to burst out of your skin.
You can’t stop doomscrolling because wanting to continue scrolling is natural. But there are ways to overcome this habit and stop doomscrolling for good.
Ask yourself why you’re scrolling down the page in the first place. Is it because you want to read more? Or maybe you’re looking for new content? Then let go of the urge to continue scrolling down and focus on what’s next on your screen.
If it’s just because you’re addicted to reading, try using an alternative method — such as watching YouTube videos or listening instead of reading — until you feel more comfortable with that habit again. This will help break your habit of compulsively scrolling down the page for no reason at all!
Create a “no-scroll zone” around your computer or mobile device by setting up boundaries with other devices, such as tablets or smartphones, so they don’t distract from what’s happening on your computer screen.
Ways to take a break from social media
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the news and social media, here are some ways to take a break:
1. Unplug:
Turn off your phone, set it to airplane mode, and put it away for a few hours. It may seem like it’s too late at night to unplug, but the truth is that turning off your phone can help reset your brain from constant use. If you’re unsure how long to leave it off or if there are any exceptions, check with your doctor or therapist.
2. Get some air:
Go outside or walk around the block or anything that helps you get your body moving and releases endorphins (good for stress) for about 45 minutes. This will help you feel relaxed when you come back inside because stress causes anxiety, and anxiety makes us feel tense.
3. Do something creative:
Change your routine by doing something creative (like cooking dinner instead of eating out) or reading a book instead of watching TV all day. The endorphin release mentioned above is also very healing when done in moderation.