Discover how social media use can exacerbate psychiatric symptoms, especially in individuals with conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and body dysmorphia. This video summarizes findings from a systematic review of 155 studies, introducing the ‘Delusion Amplification by Social Media’ model. Learn about the psychological effects of online interactions and the need for further research.
References:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/evidence-based-living/202503/how-social-media-impacts-psychiatric-symptoms
References:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/evidence-based-living/202503/how-social-media-impacts-psychiatric-symptoms
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LifestyleTranscript
00:00Welcome back Sunbro, we hope you all in great health and great money.
00:04Before we start, please at least subscribe so we can have little money for food and paying bills.
00:09Alright, today we are going to talk about social media and mental illness, what you need to know.
00:15Social media has changed how you connect with people, but it's not all positive,
00:19especially if you're dealing with a psychiatric disorder like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder,
00:23body dysmorphia, eating disorders, narcissistic personality disorder, or borderline personality
00:28disorder. A big review of 155 studies found that people with these conditions tend to use social
00:34media more, and not always in healthy ways. Since online interactions lack the usual face-to-face
00:39cues, it can mess with how your brain processes things, sometimes making symptoms worse. For
00:44example, if you have narcissistic traits, you might obsess over likes or followers. If you struggle
00:49with body image, you might compare yourself to others constantly. And if you experience delusions,
00:54social media can fuel feelings of being watched or controlled. Researchers even came up with a
00:59model called delusion amplification by social media. It suggests that people who already have
01:04an unstable sense of self might use social media to shape their identity, but end up spiraling into
01:09obsessive or paranoid behavior instead. Keep in mind, these findings are based on observation,
01:14not proof of cause and effect. But they do point to a clear trend, social media can seriously impact
01:19your mental health, especially if you're already vulnerable. More research is needed, but it's a
01:24good reminder to check in with how these platforms affect you.