Social Media, OCD, and Depression:

When It’s Time To Close the App

AGENDA

General Introduction

Panel Member Introductions

Comparing Yourself to Others on Social Media

Audience Reaction to Topic

“I’m Sooo OCD”

Audience Reaction to Topic

How We Use Social Media for Good

Tips on Using Social Media for Good

Audience Open Discussion

Question and Answer Segment

ChrisAlegra

StephenNathalie Genevieve

• 77% of Americans have social media of some kind

• Hunt, Marx, Lipson & Young (2018) found that the group that limited social media use during the study had better mental health outcomes. The group that used social media frequently had symptoms of depression, anxiety, and isolation

• Individuals that decreased social media use had less feelings of fear around missing out on life and socialization

• Social comparison through social media created the most negative feelings

• People with OCD compare themselves to their friends and acquaintances who are not suffering from a debilitating disorder

• Engage in “upward social comparisons” –“How is my life stacking up?”

• Never compare to people who are doing “worse off,” usually compare with those who are perceived to be doing better, resulting in feelings of worthlessness and sadness

• Issues of regret and “what could have been”

• Feel more out casted and not included

The Consequences of Negative Portrayals of OCD on Social Media

• Fennel and Boyd (2014) found that the majority of mentions and portrayals of OCD were negative, inaccurate, and condescending– These portrayals reinforced negative stereotypes of the

disorder– These portrayals contributed to negative stigma and

feelings of shame in individuals with OCD – Negative representations of OCD on social media

contributed to individuals with OCD being less likely to disclose that they are struggling with OCD symptoms

The Consequences of Negative Portrayals of OCD on Social Media

• Pavelko and Myrick (2015) found that social media often trivialized the disorder– These portrayals reinforced negative stereotypes of the

disorder– Hastags #SoOCD and #ImSoOCD often revealed memes

and posts downplaying the effects of OCD– Individuals with OCD that came across these posts

reported feeling ostracized – Similar studies found that the dismissal of OCD by society

in general can affect the way medical staff views, diagnoses, and treats patients with OCD

Using Social Media For Good:

1. Connecting with others in the OCD community• Finding others using the hash tag #OCD• Following OCD support Instagram accounts

2. Online OCD Support Groups• Facebook

• OCD Support Group for Young Adults

3. Spreading out factual OCD information• Informing others what OCD actually

is and what it is not

Set limits on how frequently you check social media

Only check social media if you have a purpose and not to mindlessly scroll

through different apps

Follow inspirational accounts that encourage OCD recovery

Follow organizations in the OCD community such as the IOCDF or one of

their local affiliates

Follow others going through OCD or mental health recovery that are both

positive and informed

Refrain from comparing yourself to others in recovery and remember: YOU

ARE ON YOUR OWN PATH!

Unfollow accounts that are not making you feel positive

You may need to take time off of social media and focus on yourself—be present!

Remember, you are only seeing everyone else’s HIGHLIGHT reel. Their “after” picture.

You do not see their “behind the scenes,” including their hardships and failures

You are only truly seeing 1% of their life – the 1% they are CHOOSING for you to see. Most likely they are not going to put up their low

points online for all to see

Remember, other people may have no clue you are struggling with mental illness so

therefore you may not realize the people you are following are having a hard time as well

Focus on betting yourself! And remember, your time will come. Follow your path and do not compare your journey with the journey of

others!