The social media connection to mental illness

 Could the Instagram filter someone chooses actually clue us into their mental state? According to a new study published in the journal EPJ Data Science, social media and mental illness are linked. And the images a person shares on Instagram, and the way they’re edited, could offer insight into signs of depression.

The study examined more than 40,000 Instagram posts from 166 subjects. Researchers first identified study participants who were previously diagnosed with depression. Next, the study used machine-learning tools to identify patterns in the people’s posts. It turns out there were differences between how depressed people and non-depressed people posted.

Those folks who were depressed tended to use filters less frequently than those who weren’t depressed. And when they did use filters, the most popular one was “Inkwell,” which turns photos black and white. Their photos were also more likely to contain a face in them. In contrast, non-depressed Instagrammers were partial to the “Valencia” image filter, which lightens photos.

The social media-mental illness connection

This isn’t the first time researchers examined the role social media plays in mental health. As social media continues to become more engrained in our society – when’s the last time you spent an entire day away from Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat? – its role in our mental wellbeing is being studied too. And some of the findings are, well, troubling. Let’s break down the role social media plays in mental illness.

Social media and depression

Social media can exacerbate feelings of depression. In fact, one study found that the greater number of social platforms people are actively engaged on, the more likely they’ll feel depressed and anxious. People who stuck with one or two platforms experienced a decreased risk of depression and anxiety, compared to those engaging with seven to 11 different platforms, even after controlling for other issues that could contribute to mental health illness and the total time spent on social media.

Though seven platforms sounds as if it’s a large number, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest, YouTube, Twitter and LinkedIn add up to seven. Throw in a dating app like Tinder or social chat apps like Kik and WeChat, and it becomes easy to see how someone could be on that many platforms.

In a small study of young people in the UK, researchers identified Instagram as the social media platform most associated with negative feelings, including depression, anxiety, loneliness, trouble sleeping and bullying, with Snapchat following closely behind. Both of these platforms focus heavily on images, which can promote feelings of inadequacy and encourage low self-esteem as people compare themselves to others.

Another study found that Facebook use negatively impacted how people felt moment-to-moment and also how satisfied they were with their lives. The more often people used Facebook over a two-week period, the more their life satisfaction levels declined – no matter why they were using Facebook or how big their Facebook network was. Though the study looked at only two weeks, it would be interesting to see what the cumulative life satisfaction toll would be over a period of months and years.

Social media and loneliness

Though we have more ways than ever to keep in touch with people, including social media, loneliness is on the rise – particularly among older adults. An AARP study of people aged 45 and older found that 35 percent of them were lonely, and that 13 percent of lonely respondents felt “they have fewer deep connections now that they keep in touch with people using the Internet.”

Simply because we’re “liking” friends’ statuses or checking out their vacation photos doesn’t mean we feel connected to them. In fact, we might even be spending less time on activities that build face-to-face networks, such as volunteering, pursuing a hobby or getting involved in organizations we care about. Researchers are calling it a loneliness epidemic; it increases the risk factor of premature death as much or even more than being obese.

It’s not only adults who are affected, either. One well-known study found that, even after controlling for factors such as sex, age and perceived social support, the larger an adolescent’s Facebook network, the more diurnal cortisol they produced. Cortisol is known as the stress hormone, and elevated levels of it can lead to anxiety and sleep disorders, among other things. The investigators in that study theorized that the number of friends people have on Facebook is positive up to a certain point, but then reaches a point of diminishing returns, where higher stress and cortisol levels take over.

Social media and narcissism

Social media also provides a platform for narcissists and people with narcissistic tendencies. Interestingly, one small study from 2010 found that narcissistic people with low self-esteem were more active on Facebook. That’s in line with another study that found that being addicted to Facebook often predicted narcissistic behavior and low self-esteem. It’s likely that these people use social media to “feed the ego” and also to tamp down feelings of low self-esteem with online validation.

Warning signs of a social media problem

Obviously, not everyone who uses social media has a mental health issue. Some people simply enjoy getting the latest cat videos or seeing photos of their grandchildren. But being too reliant on social media can be a problem for some, and can make mental health problems such as depression or anxiety, even worse. Could you have a social media problem?

Here are some warning signs:

• You’re addicted to your smartphone ­– also known as nomophobia – and, in particular, checking social media platforms.
• You keep in touch with family and friends by commenting on their status updates, but you can’t remember the last time you spoke with one of them on the phone or even – gasp! – saw them in person.
• Checking your social media platforms is the last thing you do before turning in at night and the first thing you do upon waking.
• You feel panicky if several hours have gone by and you haven’t checked your social media accounts.
• You obsess over the best way to “capture the moment,” so you can post about it.
• You’re often comparing yourself to people online.
• You get upset if people haven’t commented on your updates and might even take down posts that haven’t garnered a significant reaction from others.
• Whether you’re waiting in line at the bank, are on the toilet or stuck at a red light, you find yourself “checking in” on social media platforms, no matter where you are or how much time you have.

Social media and mental illness: how to find balance

Did you recognize yourself in the warning signs? It might be time to find some balance in your social media life. It’s unrealistic to think that we’re going to cut ourselves off of social media entirely, especially because all the effects aren’t negative. After all, it’s fantastic to find a community that loves long-haired Chihuahuas as much as you do, or seek out information on difficult topics, including mental health issues, from people who have experienced it already. There are even websites where you can connect with licensed therapists to seek out care from the comfort of your own home.

And there could be another bright side to all of this, according to the researchers who identified the link between people’s filter choice and depression. It could help target and better aid depression for people in underserved communities.

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This article originally appeared on DrAxe.com and is republished here with permission.