Why Does Social Media Give Me Anxiety? The Truth About Overstimulation

If social media makes you anxious, you're not alone. Today, we're diving deep into why those endless scrolling sessions leave us feeling wound up, anxious, and sometimes even ashamed.

The Dopamine Dance

Here's the truth about what's happening in your brain when you scroll: Every like, comment, and notification triggers a tiny burst of dopamine - that's your brain's feel-good (and addiction) chemical. It's the same reward system that lights up when you eat chocolate or get a hug. But here's the kicker - social media companies know this, and they've designed their platforms to keep you coming back for more.

Think of it like this: Imagine you're playing a slot machine, but instead of coins, you're gambling with your time and emotional energy. Sometimes you hit the jackpot (lots of likes on your post), and sometimes you come up empty (crickets on your carefully crafted update). This unpredictable reward pattern is exactly what makes slot machines addictive, and social media works the same way (especially reels).

The Comparison Trap

Let me be direct - comparing yourself to filtered, curated versions of other people's lives is a recipe for anxiety. As someone who helps people work through shame and guilt, I see how this comparison game wreaks havoc on mental health.

When you scroll through your feed, you're not seeing reality. You're seeing:

• The vacation photos (not the credit card debt behind them)

• The perfect family moments (not the tantrums five minutes before)

• The business success posts (not the countless failures that came first)

We compare ourselves to people and situations that don’t even exist, contributing to spiraling anxiety, shame, and guilt.

Here's what I tell my clients: These comparisons are like comparing your raw footage to someone else's highlight reel. It's not just unfair - it's impossible to win at this game because you're playing against an illusion.

The next time you feel that comparison anxiety rising, ask yourself:

• What's the story behind this perfect post?

• What reality am I not seeing?

• How is this serving my mental health?

The Stress Response

Here's what's actually happening in your body when you're deep in a scrolling session:

Your brain goes into a state of hyperarousal. It's processing hundreds of pieces of information per minute - images, captions, emotions, judgments. This overstimulation can trigger your body's stress response, releasing cortisol (the stress hormone) and putting you in a state of low-grade fight-or-flight.

The FOMO Factor

Fear Of Missing Out isn't just a trendy phrase - it's a real psychological phenomenon that social media amplifies. When you're constantly exposed to what everyone else is doing, your brain starts sending anxiety signals that you're somehow falling behind or missing important social connections.

Breaking Free from the Cycle

Here are some practical steps to manage social media anxiety:

1. Turn off push notifications and visual notifications on your phone. Your brain deserves breaks from the constant random stimulation and phone checks.

2. Set firm boundaries with your screen time. Don't negotiate with yourself about "just five more minutes."

3. Do regular reality checks. When you feel anxiety rising, ask yourself: "Is this content serving me well, or stressing me out?"

4. Clean up your feed. Unfollow accounts and pages that consistently make you feel inadequate or anxious (I just unfollowed over 50 pages & accounts and WOW does my feed feel better)

#1

Turn off push notifications and visual notifications on your phone.

The Power of Conscious Consumption

Here's what I tell my clients: You wouldn't eat food that makes you sick, so why consume content that makes you anxious? You have the power to control your social media (and news) diet.

Think of social media like a busy street - you can't control the traffic, but you can decide when to cross, which direction to walk, and when to take a quieter route. You're in charge here.

Moving Forward

The goal isn't to completely abandon social media - that's neither realistic nor necessary for most people. Instead, we're aiming for mindful usage that serves your mental health rather than sabotages it.

Remember this: Your worth isn't measured in likes, your success isn't determined by follower count, and your happiness shouldn't depend on others' highlight reels.

Take Action Today

I encourage you to take one small step today. Maybe it's setting a 30-minute social media limit, unfollowing accounts that trigger anxiety, or designating certain hours as phone-free time.

The key is to start somewhere and be consistent. Your brain will thank you for the breaks from constant stimulation, and you'll likely notice improvements in your anxiety levels within days.

Remember, managing social media anxiety isn't about willpower - it's about understanding how these platforms affect your brain and making informed choices to protect your mental health. You have more control than you think, and taking charge of your social media consumption is a powerful act of self-care.

What matters most is that you recognize the impact social media has on your mental health and take steps to create healthier boundaries. You've got this, and if you need support along the way, don't hesitate to learn more about Therapy for Anxiety.