11/20/2025
Problematic Social Media or Screen Use: Recognizing When Scrolling Becomes a Problem
In today's Common Conditions series, I'm talking about something that affects so many of us but often goes unrecognized - problematic social media use.
This impacts people of all ages, though we're seeing particularly concerning effects in teens and young adults who've grown up with smartphones. The truth is, anyone spending hours daily scrolling can experience negative mental health effects.
What does problematic social media use look like?
When we assess this in clinical practice, we're looking at compulsive checking, anxiety when away from devices, sleep disruption, and impacts on mood and self-esteem. The constant comparison, dopamine hits from notifications, and endless scrolling can genuinely alter our brain chemistry and worsen conditions like anxiety and depression.
When should you ask for help?
If your screen time is interfering with sleep, relationships, work, or daily functioning - or if you feel anxious, irritable, or depressed and can't seem to put your phone down - it's time to reach out.
How can we help?
Your Naturopathic Doctor, Nurse Practitioner, or family doctor can help assess your digital habits, identify links between screen time and your mental health symptoms, and create a personalized plan to restore balance. In longer appointments, we have the time to really explore these patterns with you.
If this resonates with you, don't hesitate to reach out to a healthcare provider who can take the time to understand your whole picture!
Next time in this series: Preventative Health
