Tag Archives: psychiatry

Social media: friend or foe?

Written by Rebecca Budde, SIU School of Medicine
Love social media‘em or hate ‘em, social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest are here to stay. Most of us know those people who just can’t bear to be off social media for a day, but is social media such a bad thing for everyone?
While many articles focus on the negatives of social media — bullying, fear of missing out, obsessive behaviors or relationship conflict — psychologists and counselors also feel that social network sites (SNS), when used with the right motivation, can provide benefits to a subset of patients with mental issues. Estimates show that by 2016 the world will have nearly 2.13 billion social network users, and mental health care providers are becoming more mindful of the impact.
“The studies regarding the benefits and disadvantages of social media are conflicting because there are so many variables,” says Dana Ingram, LCSW, psychotherapist at SIU School of Medicine. She says that in the past, she didn’t often consider social media’s influence on her client’s issues. But, with more than 73% of adults using SNS, “it’s always in the back of my mind now.”
Thumbs Up“The power of the ‘Like’ button is amazing,” says Ingram. “Positive feedback on any type of SNS can really help increase self-esteem and confidence.” Many with social or general anxiety issues use SNS to build a sense of social capital and self-esteem. “It’s a safe, self-protective way to practice social skills and get feedback. By watching others and their interactions and responses, they can learn how to phrase things to sound supportive with little risk of embarrassment, giving them a little boost of self-confidence.”
Ingram also shares these benefits of social media:

  • Connects those going through similar life experiences or illnesses
  • Eases anxiety
  • Provides social support
  • Provides distraction from illness or problems
  • Inspires creativity
  • Connects friends and family who are not in close proximity
  • Connects people of similar interests

Connection can be especially important for those who are dealing with a newly diagnosed disease or the effects of the disease and treatment. Dr. Patricia Fank, who specializes in behavioral and psychosocial oncology, works with many of these patients. “Online social networks can help people who are looking for a way to keep friends and family apprised of their journey with an illness without having to tell the story numerous times,” she says.
“If the motivation to use social media is based on positive interaction that decreases feelings of anxiety and inadequacy rather than provoking it, then you’ll have positive results,” Dr. Fank says. “If the motivation is negative, the results will be as well.”
*names have been changed
Statistics gathered from to statista.com and Pewresearch.com.
Adapted from Social Media: Friend or Foe?
Copyright © SIU School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois

The toll of depression

Our thoughts are with the family of legendary comedian Robin Williams. Depression is a serious medical illness affecting more than 14 million American adults every year, but the condition is treatable and help is available.
Businessman Thinking on StepsSuicide is linked with people who have a history of depression or other mental illness or have been hospitalized for psychiatric problems. Unemployment and increased stressors such as isolation, a change in marital status or loss of a loved one often intensify the depression.
According to SIU psychiatrist Dr. Jeffrey Bennett, suicide or threatened suicide is considered a psychiatric emergency and always should be taken seriously. “Often people with suicidal ideas are reluctant to seek treatment because of the stigma involved in having a mental illness in this culture,” Dr. Bennett says. “Family members will not do a disservice to someone who is stating they want to commit suicide by bringing them to an emergency room if they are concerned enough about the presence of suicidal thoughts, or if the person has past history of suicide attempts.”
Dr. Bennett recommends anyone with suicidal thoughts, severe depression or other psychiatric symptoms be seen by their primary care physician or a mental health counselor, who may refer them to a psychiatrist for further evaluation and treatment.
For about 30 percent of people suffering from moderate depression, medication doesn’t work. For them, a promising new therapy has the potential to reduce or eliminate their symptoms: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). This non-invasive, non-systemic treatment uses focused, electromagnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain. To read more about how this therapy is helping patients handle severe depression. http://www.siumed.edu/pubs/aspects/W10/s3.pdf
The National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255; operators are available 24/7.