Anxiety
The media not only portrays anxiety in a certain way but can also contribute to one’s own anxiety. Generalized Anxiety Disorder is described by the ADAA as persistent and excessive worry about a number of different things. The media commercializes anxiety so that businesses can profit off of consumers buying anxiety-related products. The media also contributes to the issue of people misdiagnosing themselves because they believe what they read about anxiety instead of getting an actual doctor’s opinion. Many people in today’s society have shared that social media apps actually contribute to their anxiety instead of offering a place of relief.
Social Media Causes of Anxiety
Social media causes anxiety because of the fear of feeling self-conscious or that you’ve personally failed. People compare their lives and personal experiences to what they see of others online. Most social media posts glamorize the good moments in ones’ life, and leave out a whole realistic picture. People may use likes or comments to build up self confidence–or vice versa, increase anxiety and self doubt, if lack thereof. Social media is addicting and that is why it makes us so anxious. “The University of Chicago found that it’s also more addictive than cigarettes, and harder to abstain from than a cocktail might be.”1
Commercialization of Anxiety
Social media platforms have become safe spaces for people to form and become apart of communities with other like-minded people. There is specifically a “sad culture” that has taken over these platforms, So Sad Today twitter account (at 855,000 followers) gets thousands of depressinging relatability retweets daily.2 (Jess Joho, Mashable.com). There’s also a social media based brand called “Sad Society Clothes”– Instagram markets for this company with 99,000+ followers. The brand sells “anxiety queen” influencer t-shirts and necklaces. Some may argue that this merch is not encouraging a movement of mental illness and anxiety, but it’s more of a form of political protest. Others are concerned that there needs to be conversations about how serious these illnesses are, and a larger emphasis for people to seek help instead of going off of influencers experiences- because it could be “glamoured” for likes and views.3 The commodification of mental illness, and these companies and specific influencers gaining a profit without responsibly educating their supporters can be very damaging and could lead to wrongful self-diagnosis and a world-wind of issues.
The Media is Not a Doctor
While the idea of relating to a public figure with anxiety can give an individual a sense of relief in regards to “not feeling alone,” the common misconception about anxiety that the media somewhat portrays is that symptoms of depression, stress and anxiety can be the same. Along with this, individuals can take whichever parts of anxiety they feel they relate to and run along with the idea that they have anxiety without being professionally diagnosed. This can then cause a split between those who have unknowingly joined the train of “making anxiety a trend”4 (such as consumers who buy items from Sad Society Clothes), and the groups who have actually received a clinical diagnosis. Media can spread awareness of a disorder, but it can also do the damage of misinforming individuals who are actually seeking answers.
Conclusion
People with anxiety disorders should be weary of the harm social media can cause, and always keep in mind how life on social media is far from reality. Additionally, individuals who believe they have some or even all of the symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder should seek support and help from licensed mental health practitioners, such as medical doctors, therapists, and psychiatrists. Having health literacy skills can help one identify their anxiety symptoms and can also help one make smart decisions when choosing a therapist or psychiatrist. The safest practice for mental health is to seek treatment from those who are licensed in those areas of mental health, instead of relying on the internet and social media to diagnose one’s symptoms.
1 https://www.anxiety.org/social-media-causes-anxiety
2,3https://mashable.com/article/anxiety-depression-social-media-sad-online/
DO YOU HAVE ANXIETY? 