New Media or Mental Health? @stroutodu-blog - Tumblr Blog

It's not all isolation and cyber-bullying: technology offers access to communication and therapies that could help sufferers of mental illness.

We live in a world of extremes; either we don't use it or we use it too much, it's black or it's white. Psychology, however, isn't that definitive. There is plenty of grey area between positive and negative, no use and overuse, and to assume that everyone within a society overuses one thing can only bring negative feedback and not allow any growth. It's 2018, there are many articles shared and uploaded onto the internet that claims we overuse technology and while that may be true for a portion of the society, it isn't true for many. Technology has the potential to be a tool for treating mental health issues and for improving the quality of life. There are programs for boosting people's moods, for encouraging exercise, helping people overcome phobias or difficulties, and programs for therapy. Technology can help bring people together and can also help anyone living with mental health issues. We can seek help, connect, destress, and enjoy our lives more with the help of technology. This is an incredible world we live in and we must be open to change and growth, technology, used in moderation, can benefit the lives of many who use it.

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This is the first article that brings up a cause of stress from reading too much negative news and diagnosing yourself through the internet. While these seem like insignificant things that wouldn't factor into your mental health, people end up obsessing over news or self-diagnosis, and they can turn into very big monsters that add to your stress and anxiety. Social media is also brought up, in moderation, of course, it's harmless and even can benefit us. But just how common is technology use in moderation? More often than not, we begin to rely too heavily on social media, which can lead to feelings of depression and dependency. This article highlights the importance of drawing boundaries for social media use. Recommend anyone set a limit on screen time every day or just turn off your devices at a certain time of night. Do you have any rituals or habits (like turning your phone off at a certain time of night) that helps you stay away from the negative effects of technology?

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It is human nature to resist change. Every major technological advancement in human history has brought with it societal change. The industrial revolution prompted large populations to congregate in city centers, while improved telecommunication technology-enabled remote collaboration. There is no denying that technology brings about change that humans resist through their emphasis on negative impacts and repercussions. Although naysayers may be the loudest, their messages aren’t absolute. While there is no denying the negative cognitive effects associated with the overuse of technology, there is also no denying the positive. Although some traditional cognitive skills may be decreased due to

"While there is no denying the negative cognitive effects associated with the overuse of technology, there is also no denying the positive.“ But do the positives of technology use affecting our mental health outweigh the negative? The boost in decision-making skills, visual skills, and cognitive flexibility from first-person shooter video games (which are usually deemed dangerous for children) and strategy-based video games are surprising benefits. This article does point out moderation, however, too many video games won't help social skills and overuse of smartphones can cause anxiety and stress. But with the happiness, boosted self-esteem, and connectedness with fellow social media users, it's hard to deny the positive effect that technology has on our well-being. Humans are social, we crave connection and contact with those we care about. Reliable and responsible use of technology can help us navigate our busy lives and experience it to our fullest.

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Our world is overrun by technology. While technology has aided the human race with many advancements and conveniences, it also presents with some unfortunate consequences for our children.

We can all understand being too dependent on our phones, constantly checking apps or unlocking it as soon as you get a notification. But what about the side effects of technological dependence on children? Using technology too much can impede on a child's social skills, they may suffer in developing conversational skills (like making eye contact), and they may be uncomfortable in social situations. This article cites a study where teens who constantly log onto Facebook are more prone to act aggressive and antisocial and show psychological issues like mania and paranoia. It's easy to distract a child with technology so a parent can have a break but in the long run, will it be harmless or harmful?

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Today is World Mental Health Day.

Again, this is an article that highlights the usage of apps to help with mental health. However, the apps talked about are for more specific conditions, like anxiety or schizophrenia. The anonymity, convenience, and low price are selling factors within this article and since they're available to nearly anyone, how could these apps not benefit those with mental health issues. Confidentiality is a major issue with these apps since many don't adhere to standard healthcare privacy guidelines. This article gives good advice at the end, "Vet any app you're considering with a doctor or therapist," your therapist or doctor wouldn't steer you in the wrong direction, especially with your privacy in mind.

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A recent study discovered that, on average, teens spend 42 hours/week in front of electronic screens. See how technology impacts their health!

Because of how fast our world is changing, it really drives home the significance of it when, in the past, parents were able to punish their kids by not allowing their children to watch TV but now there is a long list of devices to take away if you want to punish a child. Not only that but using technology throughout the day can stimulate cortisol "the stress hormone" and use at night can limit melatonin, which helps us sleep, these two physical stressors can affect mental health significantly. This article also brings up studies done that link technology use to obesity rates. In a 2004 study, a child's obesity rate doubles for each hour spent watching TV and playing video games. These examples of mental and physical risks can impact and family and any person, but do the risks outweigh the benefits of the convenience of technology?

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People who think technology can only harm people's mental health are living in the Stone Age.

Within this article there were many studies cited that showed the positive effects of technology, there seems to be more of a bond felt when messaging one on one using social media, lower anxiety and stress while using their phones, and online support groups for those too nervous or embarrassed to seek help in person. The author of this article also points out meditation apps, mood trackers, and telephone hotlines which could help those struggling with mental health issues. Is there any one app that you use which helps you deal with anxiety or stress?

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Whether we like it or not, technology has become a part of our everyday lives. We rely on it for quick information, social networking, job searching, school related assignments, and entertainment for when we are bored. But is being constantly connected to the technological world affecting student’s mental health?

This article shows how significant technology's role is in our everyday lives. But is it a good thing to be constantly connected? Especially as a student, as school is already a stressful environment, it may not be a positive situation to stay consistently attached to a piece of technology (i.e. phone, laptop). Online bullying, obsession with checking notifications, and lowered self esteem are stresses that will only take away from your education. As a student, how do you feel about the impact of technology on your education or your everyday life?

Research shows that virtual reality can help treat people with depression.

Virtual Reality games and gaming systems have become hugely popular, especially over this past year. But could VR help patients with depression? A study was done by the University of London and the Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies had therapy patients dive into the world of virtual reality. While wearing a headset and embodied as a virtual body, these patients were trained to be compassionate to an upset child, when they then saw themselves as the child with an adult showing them compassion. Over half of those studied said their depressive symptoms reduced after a month. Does this seem like a reliable type of mental health care? Does this seem realistic for someone middle to low class and at risk for mental health issues?

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With the prevalence of technology within our society and with generations being raised alongside great technological advances, there are going to be observed side-effects over the years. An iDisorder, as Professor Larry Rosen calls it, is "Where you exhibit signs and symptoms of a psychiatric disorder such as OCD, narcissism, addiction, or even ADHD.” Can we expect these iDisorders to become more prevalent throughout the years? What are your thoughts?

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Kip connects patients with qualified therapists, and helps them track outcomes over time. By combining in-person therapy with a mobile app that allows patients to provide feedback on a day-to-day a…

Even while being aware of your mental health and taking steps to better it, there are still many issues that can arise. The feeling of no progress is one, in particular, that the app Kip is used to fight. Kip is focused on having patients work towards goals and outcomes that can be tracked and referenced. Kip co-founder, Erin Frey, states that "We're making therapy better because we're giving therapists more data," the daily updates that patients can give their therapists allows them to understand their patients progress and adjust their therapy accordingly.

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Research has indicated that technology can have both a positive and negative impact in terms of mental health and mental health care. This article will take a

We can understand how first-world countries are affected by technology but what about developing countries? There is very little talk and funding of mental health in developing countries as people are trying to survive. Perhaps it's a good thing that new media isn't so prevalent in developing countries since this luxury does have studied side-effects. This article speaks of a study done showing that young adults who usually used Facebook reported feeling less happy, this study also says that rates of depression tend to be higher among those who use social media sites regularly.

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Technology can play a significant role in mental health, but has been largely overlooked by both initiatives and funding. However, things are about to change

Change can bring about many things, soon mental health will no longer stay in the backseat for the National Health Service. Mental health IT is now in the spotlight in the UK, electronic health records and preventative treatment can help achieve a lofty goal like zero suicides, a stubborn killer, where the rates change very little. Hopefully, this trend of health care IT extends beyond the UK and reaches many other clinics and hospitals, where the goal of zero suicides becomes much less of a dream and more of a reality.

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More use of technology is linked to later increases in attention, behavior and self-regulation problems for adolescents already at risk for mental health issues, a new study from Duke University finds. “Also, on days at-risk adolescents use technology more, they experience more conduct problems and higher ADHD symptoms compared to days they use technology less,” said Madeleine J. George, a Duke Ph.D. candidate and the lead author of the study.

Has technology caused issues for those already at risk for mental health? This article from DukeTODAY highlights a new study from Duke University that shows an increase in attention, behavior, and self-regulation problems related to more use of technology. The study group was composed of 11-15-year-olds of a lower socioeconomic status already at risk for mental health issues, does this study seem fair since there wasn't more variety and inclusion within the group studied? Would you agree that technology hinders adolescence already at risk for mental health issues?

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From a text therapy platform to apps that push you reminders to breathe, these self-care startups offer help on a daily basis or in times of need.

It’s 2018, we’re often too busy working, going to school, or fulfilling other requirements that we neglect taking care of ourselves and our mental health. Luckily, there’s an app for that. This article from CNN showcases 7 startup companies and their apps available in the app store, all of which focus on taking care of your mental well-being. Be it an app that improves the quality of sleep, a texting therapist, or just reminders to drink water and take a break, all of these things can bring about positive change, no matter how small.

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Introduction

Because of my interest in psychology and the constant use of new media within our society, as well as the rise of positive and educating discussion about mental health, I was very interested in doing my curation project on the positive effect of new media on mental health. In the past, many people were shunned and sent away into psychiatric hospitals or homes away from society if they acted anything but “normal” Now, with our ability to connect with people we many have never connected with before and the astounding amounts of new research coming out about mental health, I hope to contribute to the conversation of mental health and it’s ties to technology in a positive and educating way.

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