If you’ve ever sat on your couch doom-scrolling Insta, X, or Tiktok wondering why everyone else seems to be doing fine, you’re not alone. (hint: they’re not either).
Anxiety and self-esteem go hand-in-hand, and social media can be a modern hellscape. It can cause the most mentally stable among us anxiety about the state of the world, our neighbors, and the global community. But when does a little anxiety become something more? Something that might be more serious and require outside help?
We’ve been through a lot. Global pandemic, economic uncertainty, the rise of remote work, political tension, climate dread, and the persistent illusion that everyone else is having a better time than we are.
Social media and worsening symptoms of mental disorders go together like peanut butter and jelly, and as more research is done we’re only beginning to understand how bad it can be. Today we’ll discuss how Instagram affects anxiety and how to get help if it becomes overwhelming and debilitating.
It’s Not Your Fault You’re Anxious (and Lonely)
One of the worst parts about anxiety is how isolating it feels. It also seems we’re in a unique cultural moment that makes meeting people harder and loneliness never far away. Making friends as an adult has never seemed more difficult, dating apps can be exhausting at best and gross at worst, and we aren’t exactly meant to be spending 12 hours a day in front of screens.
Some anxiety may be healthy. Anxious feelings are likely a holdover from our evolution from animals when being vigilant of danger was of paramount importance to staying alive. Some skepticism or fear can still help to keep us out of dangerous situations, and nearly everyone experiences some anxiety from time to time. Some amount is normal in just about everyone.
But the anxiety of the clinical variety is more than just “nerves” or being a “worrier.” It’s more than feeling nervous before a presentation at work or a test at school. Many people may seemingly have high-functioning anxiety, but at clinical levels, anxiety is a mental health condition that can impact every part of your life.
When anxiety becomes chronic and debilitating, it becomes an anxiety disorder.
What is an Anxiety Disorder?
An anxiety disorder is more than just feeling nervous before a big presentation or being stressed during a tough week. It’s a medical condition that causes excessive, persistent worry or fear that interferes with daily life.
With an anxiety disorder, this fear or stress may not go away, gets worse over time, or interferes with sleeping, work or school, relationships, and can negatively impact your overall quality of life.
Symptoms of anxiety disorders include:
- Racing thoughts or constant worrying
- Constant restlessness or feeling “on edge”
- Muscle tension or body aches
- Trouble sleeping or concentrating
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Avoidance of certain places or situations
- Worry or fear that interferes with your personal relationships
- Symptoms that interfere with work or school
- Feelings of dread that are debilitating
- Anxiety that is present more days than not
- Anxiety takes a toll on physical health
If you have any of these symptoms and they are persistent, or last more than two weeks at a time, it might be time to consider an outpatient anxiety program
When Is It Time To Get Help?
When should you consider outpatient therapy for anxiety and depression or a mental health IOP? Or when is it simply the normal anxiety of living in a self-obsessed social media world?
The best rule of thumb is you should seek help when anxiety begins to interfere with your quality of life.
When anxiety begins to get in the way of your relationships, when it comes between you and school, when it’s too debilitating to work or perform adequately at your job, when it hinders your ability to enjoy life, it’s time to seek professional help.
Therapy is a great start. But if you’ve been in therapy for years and still feel like you’re just managing your symptoms instead of healing, there may be a more effective solution.
Is the Answer a Pill?
Medication may be part of the answer to anxiety disorders, but it’s never the whole answer. Medications may be helpful, but they don’t process your trauma, build coping skills, or give you back your life.
Medication is a treatment of the symptoms of anxiety and doesn’t address the root causes. Treating symptoms can be beneficial, but real healing comes from treating the disease itself. Medication can be a great tool, but it’s only one of many in the tool shed.
What is a Mental Health PHP and IOP?
The good news is, anxiety disorders are very treatable. Even if therapy and drugs haven’t worked in the past, there is another option.
IOP stands for Intensive Outpatient Program, and PHP stands for partial hospitalization program. They’re often used to treat substance abuse disorders, but have been shown to effectively treat mental health problems like anxiety disorders as well. It’s a level of support somewhere between total hospitalization and weekly therapy.
Typically an IOP or PHP program holds classes and therapy sessions three to six days a week for up to six hours a day. With this system, you can still live at home and can often work part time as well if necessary. It’s a great way to avoid hospitalization while still getting the intense treatment that can make real, honest changes.
During the program you’ll do things like attend individual and group therapy, receive psychotherapy, learn skills for mindfulness and dealing with anxiety and other disorders, and much more.
The program might sound intense. And it is, in the best way. It gives you a structured, immersive environment to get to the root of your anxiety and learn how to live differently. It gives you real tools, and offers real time, to get your anxiety under control.
Don’t wait until you have a crisis. Get the help you need now and avoid hospitalization. It may feel scary now, but it will feel amazing to get the help you need and be free from your disease.
Let’s Talk. Blue Star Mental Health Services Can Help
Remember, change calls for action. Give us a call at (732) 327-1166 and we can talk about mental health treatment. Even if you’re not sure you’re ready, picking up the phone can be the first step in finding help. It can make all the difference in the world to your quality of life.
Whether you’re just exploring options, or already know you need more support, we’re here to talk. No pressure. No judgment. Just an honest conversation.
You’re not alone, even if social media makes you feel like you might be. Call us and let’s talk about where you’re at and what real support might look like.
Sources:
Anxiety Disorders. National Institute of Mental Health.
Do I have anxiety or worry: What’s the difference?. Harvard Health.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder: What You Need to Know. National Institute of Mental Health.
