Do you find yourself scrolling through headline after news clip after social post that highlights distressing news, even when you know you’re tired or overwhelmed? Many people make doomscrolling a part of their daily life, but it’s taking a toll on our mental health as a society. Defined as constantly consuming distressing news, “doomscrolling” happens because upsetting news triggers your brain’s tendency to scan for danger and remain hypervigilant, even when your mental health is hurting.
You might already have a bad doomscrolling habit and feel its mental effects, but there are ways you can recognize and combat this behavior and better cope with news-related anxiety. As local, national, and global political and cultural landscapes continue to experience tensions and distress, protecting your mental health becomes that much more important.
Our self-preservation instinct to absorb more and more news is natural, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t unhealthy if left unchecked. Doomscrolling has proven impacts on society’s mental health, and this issue is growing year by year. A recent American Psychiatric Association study found that in 2024, 43% of adults felt more anxious than they did in both 2023 and 2022.
After doomscrolling, you probably feel anxious, but you might also experience other negative impacts. The following are just a few examples of ways your body reacts when you constantly consume distressing news on social media, television, and other publications:
Staying informed on current events and the news is indeed important, and you might find great value in connecting with others and joining meaningful conversations on social media. Yet, we know that finding the balance between harmful habits and productive change can be challenging. If you are educated on the mental health impacts of scrolling, news coverage myths, and healthy habits for media consumption, you can prevent the negative effects of doomscrolling before they snowball.
Read More: Want to Learn More About the News Cycle and Mental Health? Read Our Guide
You might not be able to completely escape the news, but you can be educated on how to absorb information in a productive, healthy way. As you work to stay informed about current events, keep in mind these three common myths about news consumption:
With these tools, you can balance staying engaged in current events and prioritizing your mental health.
A stressful news event might affect you differently than it does someone else. Whether it’s wars, high gas prices, changing healthcare regulations, stories of racism and discrimination, or general violence, the news cycle can trigger different responses in different people. When you’re reading and watching news, keep these general guidelines in mind so you can protect your well-being while you stay informed:
Sometimes, news anxiety and overwhelm can feel especially personal and triggering. If you’re seeking support from someone who understands your unique experiences, identities, and feelings, GoodTherapy has a handful of culturally competent professionals prepared to help you navigate mental health challenges related to intersectional identities.
As news and information continue to circulate, you might need the tools to balance being informed with staying mentally healthy. By recognizing the dangers of doomscrolling, keeping general tips in mind, and seeking professional help, you can limit doomscrolling and spend more time making a difference.
GoodTherapy’s trusted, patient-centered therapists are prepared to help you navigate through whatever mental health needs you have, including achieving a doomscrolling detox. Find the right therapist for you through GoodTherapy and know that you are not alone: there is help for you.
External Sources:
American Psychological Association
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