These days, it can be hard for people to connect, and while social media offers a means of connection, too often social media use is harmful rather than helpful. As a local psychiatrist, I have seen a clear link between depression and anxiety and social media usage, and many studies also support this link.
 
To be fair, everything on social media is not dangerous or even undesirable. Some of the content can be fun, informative and even encourage people to expand their ideas and try new activities. Social media also provides us with an easy way to engage with friends and family that we may not get to see often. Additionally, we might find others who are dealing with similar issues as ourselves, and this can help us feel less alone in the world.
 
The problem arises when we begin to overuse social media or when we use social media in place of forming real connections with human beings. Social media also can become addictive, and this isn’t just an issue with children or teens. Older adults can become just as addicted to social media, and the results can be equally toxic.  

How Does Social Media Affect Our Mental Health?
Multiple studies show that heavy social media users suffer from far greater rates of depression and anxiety than those who rarely use social media. Many of these studies also show that levels of depression and anxiety intensified after heavy social media use.
 
There could be many reasons for this increase in depression symptoms and greater anxiety. For instance, the more you use social media the more likely you are to be barraged by upsetting news stories and images, which can cause one to feel more anxious or hopeless.
 
Social media content often showcases glamourous or seemingly “perfect” lives where people are always good-looking, wealthy and full of energy. These people are always on the go, having amazing adventures or they have happy, seemingly idyllic lives.
 
Anyone can present a “perfect” image online, but the reality is that all of us have problems and challenges. What you see online is rarely a fair representation of someone’s actual life, but little snippets that they choose to show. Social media also often glamorizes serious issues such as drug and alcohol use or mental disorders such as eating disorders.
 
It can be especially difficult for younger people to separate this fiction from fact. Pre-teens and teens are not complete in their emotional or physical development, and as such, their brains are developed enough to handle many aspects of social media.
 
For children and young adults, the cyberworld also is a huge source of bullying and this can have an enormous impact on mental health. People on social media basically say whatever they want, and often the comments are hurtful. This can have a huge impact on a younger person’s self-esteem. Likewise, people often feel rejected if their social media content attracts little attention.
 
Social Media “Advice”
As an experienced anxiety psychiatrist and depression psychiatrist, as well as treating ADHD and bipolar disorder, I find one of the most disturbing aspects of social media, the barrage of so-called medical and mental health experts that are happy to diagnose your mental disorders or provide you with advice on how to treat whatever disorder you might have.
 
Rarely, is this advice sound and rarely is the advice given by trained professionals. I cannot stress enough that medical advice on social media is rarely accurate. Again, people can say just about anything on social media without providing any evidence.
 
I know that there is content out there that can help destigmatize mental illness, and this can be helpful, but, in general, I strongly urge people from following advice from so-called experts on Facebook, Tik Tok and other social media sites. Rarely, is it helpful, and it’s often inaccurate and dangerous.  
 
How Much Social Media Is Too Much?
As a local psychiatrist that specializes in treatment for anxiety and depression, I see many patients that spend several hours a day on various social media sites. Typically, I recommend taking a complete break from social media once in a while and limiting your time on social media sites to 30 minutes or less per day.  For some people, even this amount might be too much.
 
I don’t recommend starting off your day with a trip to your favorite social media sites. It’s best to enjoy a morning cup of tea, a brisk walk around the block or perhaps enjoy a crossword puzzle rather than head online to see what others are doing or what atrocities the world has unleased that day.
 
While we cannot turn our back on the world, we can start each day with practices that provide us with a more positive mindset. We are better able to tackle our day-to-day routine if we start off each day in the healthiest way possible.
 
It also can be wise to shut off your phone or electronic devices entirely in the evenings and switch over to more relaxing activities, such as taking a bath, listening to soft music or perhaps just chatting with a loved one. Spend a few minutes writing down thoughts in a journal or enjoy a quiet activity such as a game of chess or reading a book.
 
Take A Break & Seek Support
If you are suffering from depression and/or anxiety, my first bit of advice is to take a social media break and, instead, contact an experienced professional for help. Depression and anxiety are biological diseases that are treatable, and a trained local psychiatrist can help.
 
I recommend seeking out psychiatric care initially because psychiatrists are able to look at the whole patient from both a medical and mental health perspective. As medical doctors, we can assess your overall health and determine if there are any physical issues that might be contributing to your anxiety or depression. We also are the only professionals that can provide you with medication should that be a necessary component of your mental health treatment.
 
Psychiatrists typically do not provide actual therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and talk therapy. We provide a thorough diagnosis and create a treatment plan that addresses your anxiety and depression as well as any co-occurring disorders and this may or may not include medication management.
 
Psychologists and therapists are licensed mental health professionals that can provide you with these services, and they can be just as beneficial as medication because they provide you with coping mechanisms and also provide you with an outlet to discuss your feelings in a safe, supportive space.
 
In Lieu of Social Media . . .
It can be tough for people with depression to get out in the world and be active, which is one reason social media is often heavily used by people suffering from depression. Still, there are better activities that have been shown to alleviate depression. So shut off your device and consider the following:
 
Exercise – Just about any type of exercise can be beneficial. Exercise releases endorphins and these help to boost our mood. Additionally, just heading outdoors can boost our mood. Even if you just make it once around the block, this can be beneficial. Yoga and breathing exercises also can be a great way to reduce depression symptoms, as well as anxiety.
 
Structure – Creating a daily plan can help us stay on task, but it also can provide a sense of security. This doesn’t have to be complicated routine that includes huge, daunting tasks. Just start out simple with tasks such as making your bed, eating a healthy breakfast, taking the dog for a walk and paying the bills.
 
Clean The House – For people with depression, it is very easy for them to avoid housecleaning and organizing tasks, which of course, just makes the depression worse. However, physical cleaning tasks actually get the heart pumping which can boost your mood.
 
Even just cleaning up one single room of your house can boost your mood because you did something cardiovascular and accomplished something at the same time. Just tackle one space such as a single bathroom or just wash the dirty dishes and clean off counters. Even just emptying the trash can be a goal. Believe it or not, this can make you feel better.
 
Make Connections – This can be so difficult for people with anxiety and depression, I know. People need people and social media interactions are not a complete substitute for real interaction with a live person. Even if you can’t meet in person, schedule a zoom call even if it’s just for a quick chat and cup of coffee.
 
Volunteer – Helping others can make you feel better, and volunteering doesn’t have to be complicated. Every community has volunteer opportunities from helping out at a pet recue, a local food bank or perhaps taking part in a beach cleanup event. You can meet other people and take your mind off of your problems, even if only for a few hours.
 
Eat A Healthy Diet – A healthy varied diet can improve our mental health as well as our physical health. While it can be difficult for people with depression to shop for food and cook, try to limit processed foods and excess sugar.
 
Some studies suggest that foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids can boost your mental health. Foods rich in selenium also might be beneficial, as some studies have shown that people with depression tend to have lower selenium levels.
 
Keep in mind, while the above tips aren’t cures for depression, they can alleviate symptoms and certainly provide more help than time spent on social media. The best treatment plans incorporate these strategies as well as therapy and often medication.
 
Get Help Today!
If you are suffering from depression, anxiety, I encourage you to seek mental health care because treatment can be successful, and you deserve a happier, healthier life. As local psychiatrist in Thousand Oaks, I offer in-person visits for patients throughout Los Angeles, but I also provide telepsychiatry services for patients in any location. Using a virtual psychiatrist can be an easy way to find a psychiatrist that best suits your needs.

If you are suffering from a mental illness and are searching for a psychiatrist in Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks or another nearby city, I can help. Whether you need help with bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, ADHD or other mental illnesses, I encourage you to give me a call and set up a consultation.
 
My Philosophy
Too often, people feel shame about mental illness and believe that seeking treatment is a sign of weakness. However, psychiatric disorders are not a weakness, they are simply biological diseases that often are treatable.
 
Seeking professional help for mental disorders is no different than seeking treatment for any other type of illness. Would you feel ashamed for seeking treatment for an ear infection or asthma or appendicitis? Of course not.
 
You should feel no hesitation about seeking treatment for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, substance abuse or any other mental illness. Everyone deserves a chance to live a happy, healthy life and seeking treatment can lead you out of the darkness of mental illness and toward a much brighter future. Here’s a quick look at some of the disorders I treat.
 
ADD/ADHD
While both terms were used for many years, ADHD is now the preferred term for this type of brain disorder, which occurs both in children and adults. ADHD has a wide range of symptoms, ranging from an inability to focus to hyperactivity and impulsivity. An ADHD psychiatrist can provide you with a diagnosis and prescribe medication if necessary as well as recommend other treatment options and strategies to help make life easier.
 
Addiction
If you need addiction treatment, either for drugs or alcohol, I can help. Addiction is a disease that cannot be cured but can be managed successfully. A person with addiction will need a plan to help them maintain sobriety and to help deal with the side effects of quitting alcohol or drugs, which can include mood shifts, depression, anxiety and stress. While this sounds daunting, with proper support and treatment, all of this can be managed and long term.
 
Anxiety
Everyone has worries and stress from time to time, but for people with anxiety, this is a chronic, day-to-day battle that often interferes with work, home life and socialization. People with anxiety often feel constantly on edge and anxiety can cause fatigue, mood changes, sleep issues and even panic attacks. Anxiety is not a sign of weakness; it’s a biological disorder and an anxiety psychiatrist can help you manage and reduce symptoms of anxiety.
 
Bipolar Disorder
Many people with bipolar disorder mistakenly believe that treatment cannot be effective in managing the many symptoms of this disease, but that is simply untrue. It can take time to find the ideal treatment for each patient, but the mania, depression and other symptoms can be treated, and an experienced bipolar disorder psychiatrist can help.
 
Depression
The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that more than 17 million American adults suffer from major depression. Depression can make life extremely difficult and many people with major depression or chronic depression attempt suicide. (If you are having suicidal thoughts, please call 988 to reach the national Suicide & Crisis Hotline. Help is available 24/7)
 
Many of my patients have sought the services of a depression psychiatrist in the past and found that treatment was unsuccessful. However, previous treatment options simply might not have been a good fit for your needs. There are many new treatments available, and we likely can find an option that helps reduce or even eliminate your symptoms.
 
Co-Occurring Disorders & Psychiatric Consultations
In many cases, my patients will suffer from more than one mental disorder or perhaps a combination of physical disorders and mental health disorders. For any type of treatment to be successful, diagnosing and treating all co-occurring disorders is crucial.
 
For instance, if a patient has chronic pain and addiction, this pain likely led to the addiction in the first place. If a person has bipolar disorder and addiction, it’s also likely that the bipolar disorder led the patient to self-medicate with drugs and/or alcohol. People with an eating disorder might also suffer from depression or anxiety, etc. If we don’t treat all of these issues, then treatment is likely to be less successful.
 
Often, psychiatrists don’t take the time necessary to create a comprehensive diagnosis. They simply focus on one disorder and miss other issues that also are affecting a patient’s wellbeing. I will provide you with a thorough diagnosis that takes into account all of your symptoms, both mental and physical.
 
The diagnostic process will include several sessions and also might include some physical tests, including bloodwork and other diagnostic tools. For instance, we may find that a physical condition or perhaps even a medication you currently are taking is causing some of your symptoms.
 
I believe that a collaborative and multidisciplinary approach is the best option for all of my patients and my treatment framework addresses four dimensions – biological, psychological, sociological and spiritual. There is nothing more fulfilling to me than providing care and helping my patients experience happier and healthier lives.
 
Treatment Options
There are many types of mental health professionals, including therapists, psychiatrists, and psychologists. While all three might provide a diagnosis, only a psychiatrist can prescribe medication and psychiatrists also attended medical school and are medical doctors with medical degrees.
 
Therapists and psychologists provide other treatment options, such as talk therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. Typically, psychiatrists provide diagnosis and suggest treatment options but do not provide the actual therapy beyond prescribing medications. Not all treatment plans will include medication, but even if medication, I highly recommend using additional therapies, such as behavioral therapies as a combination approach generally is the most successful.
 
There are many medication-assisted treatment options and medication can be a highly effective way to reduce or eliminate symptoms of a mental illness. Keep in mind, that it can take weeks or months to find the best medication and the best dosage to help reduce or eliminate your symptoms.
 
We also can consider alternative treatments, if traditional medications don’t seem to work or you perhaps want to try a different approach. For instance, ketamine can be an option for patients with treatment-resistant depression and possibly for those with severe anxiety disorders. While this is a type of medication-assisted treatment, it typically only involves short-term, controlled use in a doctor’s office.
 
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is another option for treatment-resistant depression. This is a treatment that uses an electromagnetic pulse to the nerve cells in the part of your brain that controls mood. For people with depression, this area of the brain often suffers from decreased activity and stimulating the nerve cells may help reduce depression symptoms.
 
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is another alternative treatment, typically used for patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In some cases, EMDR may be used to treat some types of anxiety and panic disorders, as well.
 
In-Person Services & Telepsychiatry
While I am conveniently located for those needing a psychiatrist in Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks and even the greater Los Angeles area, I do also work as a virtual psychiatrist. This can be a good option for patients outside of my treatment area or for those who simply love the convenience of meeting virtually rather than in person. Whether you want to meet in person or online, please don’t wait another day to call and schedule a consultation so that we can set you on a path toward a happier life.