SINGAPORE – In today’s ever-connected world, the familiar constant stream of notifications can lure us to our smartphones and lure us into a vortex of digital despair.
We are all guilty of that to some degree. You just glance at your screen to check for the latest updates, and before you know it, you’re falling headlong into a relentless barrage of bad news.
The transition from one global catastrophe to the next is dizzying. Just when the COVID-19 pandemic seemed to be subsiding, we were thrown into the heart of the war in Ukraine, and from there into the escalating conflict in Gaza.
Every scroll through our newsfeeds reveals a world marred by suffering, with images of burned children and fallen civilians haunting our screens. For me, it was a discouraging and disorienting experience, and I couldn’t help but wonder if I was the only one who felt this way.
Doomscrolling and its effects on mental health
But one look at my social media feed shows I’m not alone. Friends and acquaintances in their 20s and 30s also shared this devastating news, highlighting the pain and despair that permeated our lives.
The anxiety, sadness, and difficulty sleeping that I experienced while consuming this content also intrigued me and led me to dig deeper into this phenomenon.
That led me to the word that sums up this modern-day malaise: “Doomscrolling.” It’s the urge to keep scrolling through bad news, whether it’s sad, discouraging, or downright depressing news.
I’ve noticed a dramatic spike in this habit since the pandemic began.2022 research published in health communication journal It revealed the scale of the problem, revealing that 16.5 per cent of participants displayed a “seriously problematic” habit of consuming negative news.
The study also links this relentless exposure to bad news to “increased mental and physical health conditions” such as stress, anxiety and depression, among other unfortunate outcomes.
Mental strain from constant exposure to negative news
Claire Leon, a counselor at Sophia Wellness Clinic, takes a closer look at the serious impact that constant exposure to negative news and social media content can have on an individual’s mental health.
She emphasizes that humans’ innate empathy makes us naturally sensitive to the pain and suffering of others.
“Humans are generally social creatures who are meant to live in societies and communities,” she explains.
“Most of us are empathetic creatures, meaning we care about the feelings of others. For example, if we see someone accidentally kicking a table while walking, we cringe. , I almost feel the pain in my body.
“It is natural to feel uncomfortable when consuming negative news or social media content, such as those about war and suffering. It would be surprising and worrying if we were getting a sense of well-being from seeing “suffering.” “
According to Leong, continued exposure to such distressing content can lead to desensitization, which occurs when repeated exposure dulls emotional responses to certain stimuli. Masu.
“This can make us less empathetic to those around us because we keep seeing these bad things happening on social media,” she says.
Additionally, this sustained exposure can distort a person’s sense of normalcy. “If people are constantly consuming content that involves violent responses, they may become convinced that it’s normal to respond with violence,” Leon said.
Depending on the algorithms governing a person’s social media feed, they may also be exposed to extreme views that deviate from social norms, such as extremely racist or sexist viewpoints.
She elaborates, “If we accept and internalize these ideas, we can face social problems, such as not being able to maintain friendships because of our extreme views.” I am.
How can you identify the signs of a doomscroll?
When it comes to identifying the signs, Dr. Geraldine Tan, lead psychologist at The Therapy Room, emphasizes that the insidious nature of constant notifications can become obsessive.
“You want to be notified about everything. That’s the first thing: pop-ups on your screen. And then you get notifications like, ‘Oh, this article and that article and this article.'” she explains.
These notifications can make individuals feel like they have to keep up with all the news, further exacerbating the cycle of doomscrolling.
Dr Tan explains that people tend to become immersed in news consumption when a very important event takes place. She says: “When you have big events like wars going on, or during the COVID-19 pandemic, you see that people are obsessed with numbers.”
However, this pattern of excessive news consumption can lead to increased anxiety and stress.
Dr. Tan also describes the relentless cycle of clicking from one article to another, which can leave people glued to their screens for hours. “They stay with that content for a long time. They click on one article, but often there’s another hyperlink that leads to another article. And that article has yet another hyperlink. There is another hyperlink to the article.”
She pointed out the addictive nature of this behavior and the difficulties individuals face when trying to break free from it. Dr. Tan also reveals the risks of encountering unreliable sources when tracking her ever-growing list of publications.
“You may start with a very legitimate website, but if you keep clicking endlessly, you may end up on a website that doesn’t provide the most accurate news.”
Uncovering the doomscrolling paradox
Dr. Priya Fafat, psychotherapist and counselor at Holistic Psychotherapy Center, also explains the dichotomy of doomscrolling, as people often doomscroll to reduce anxiety and gain a sense of control. is emphasized.
She explains: She says, “Sometimes you get anxious thinking about what might happen. You want to be more prepared in case something happens. We all have that built-in survival instinct.”
But the irony is that doomscrolling to reduce anxiety can backfire. “The more you sit and scroll, and the more you feel like you’re living in this cesspool, the more that negative mood state becomes reinforced,” says Dr. Fafat.
This process can lead to an intensification of negative emotions, causing fear, worry, feelings of helplessness, and hopelessness.
She also points out the unintended consequences of mindlessly scrolling through negative news, warning that it can make existing news uncertain. mental health The problem gets worse. “It can further increase anxiety, potentially trigger panic attacks, and worsen existing personality traits and mental health conditions,” she explains.
To combat this behavior, Dr. Fafat suggests self-awareness as an important tool. She advises her individuals to pay attention to their own emotional state during their doomscrolling.
She explains: “The way it works is somewhat paradoxical. While you’re scrolling, it’s important to take a moment to reflect and ask yourself, ‘What am I feeling?'”
This self-reflection can help individuals recognize the negative effects on their mental health, she added.
Recognize tolls and select coins
In the depths of doom scrolling, it’s easy to lose sight of its impact on our lives. Sleepless nights, painful anxiety, and physical symptoms are the toll of constant exposure to negative news.
Still, there is hope. The journey towards a healthier relationship with news and social media can be difficult, but it’s worth embarking on. By connecting with our own emotions and recognizing the harm this digital vortex can do, we can take the first steps toward change.
The choices we make are ours to make, and the consequences can be profound.
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