Facebook and depression

I was inspired to do this post after a video I watched from a youtuber. He made a lot of good points on this subject.

Have you ever stopped to think about how Facebook actually effects you? I’m sure the majority of Facebook users do not think it has an impact on their lives. And for some people it may not. However, for most people it probably effects them more than they realize. Think about your time on Facebook. How often do you just sit there, scrolling through the home page, just completely spaced out? That home page can be pretty dangerous.

And think about the kinds of posts you see. How many happy, exciting, positive posts do you see? And then how many sad, negative posts do you see? I think everyone will agree that the first is correct for them. Seeing all these upbeat posts from other people, especially your peers, are bound to get you thinking of your own life. And then you start comparing.

“Missy and Joe just got engaged… I don’t even have a boyfriend yet”

“Oh, Missy and Joe had their baby… I’m nowhere near having a family”

“And now they have bought a lovely house… I can barely afford my rent”

Sound familiar anyone?

You hardly ever see the negative side of your “friends” lives. And if someone puts up a negative post, so often they will get a comment basically telling them their life isn’t that bad and to cheer up. Well, to those people who do put up negative posts, I say good for you. Keeping it real.

Facebook can make depression a lot worse, especially when your depression involves feeling not good enough, and that you’re never get anywhere. It also does horrors to your self-esteem. My best advice: if you are depressed, not feeling good about yourself, or just in a bad mood, do not go on Facebook. Sit down, make a list of things you can do to make you feel better and do what is on that list. Don’t sit in front of your computer, spaced out scrolling through those posts.

Now just to flip this over. Facebook can be great. Personally I love it. It’s addicting. I have no plans to stop using it. It doesn’t have to be a bad thing to use it. But when it is making you feel worse in anyway, just stop, even if it’s just until you feel better, whether it’s an hour, a day, a week, whatever. There was once a time where Facebook didn’t exist. You made it through that. You have ways to keep in touch with family and friends. But an acquaintance you had in middle school? You do not need to know what they are doing or thinking if it is making you feel bad in anyway.

So really think about it. I mean it. Take a minute and think about how Facebook makes you feel.