The Surprising Link Between Social Media and Mental Health In today’s world, social media plays a vital role, with more than 4.7 billion individuals globally engaging regularly on platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. These sites facilitate connection, sharing, and learning, yet they also prompt important questions about their influence on mental health . How does being online all the time impact your thoughts, actions, and feelings? What dangers might arise, and how can you handle them effectively? In this social media and mental health essay , I’ll explore both the positive and negative impacts of social media, answer key questions about social media and mental health , and offer practical tips to maintain a healthy digital balance. Understanding the Effects of Social Media on Mental Health To comprehend the impact of social media on mental well-being, we need to examine both the positive and negative aspects. Positive Effects of Social Media on Mental Health 1. Social...
An intrusive thought is an unwelcome, involuntary thought, image, or unpleasant idea that may become an obsession, is upsetting or distressing, and can feel difficult to manage or eliminate. (source: Wikipedia ) Common examples of intrusive thoughts include unwanted, intrusive thoughts about the safety of oneself or others, causing distress, and thoughts of performing dangerous actions. These thoughts may lead to negative behaviors, which may increase vulnerability to future experiences of trauma. Intrusive thoughts have been linked to recent life stress, sleep deprivation, prior anxiety, and childhood abuse. The state of depression , suicidal ideation, or anxiety may also be caused by the release of stress hormones. Analysis of studies in subjects who had experienced prolonged periods of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) found that intrusive thoughts and flashbacks are associated with greater than 50% of symptoms, especially memory fragmentation. Intrusive thoughts often occur ...