Social Media Therapy Princeton NJ

Checking and scrolling through social media has become such a popular activity, very few people would know when to recognize it as a problem. And while most people use social media without any issues, there is a small percentage who become addicted to social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

Social media addiction is a behavioral addiction characterized by being overly concerned about social media. People who are addicted to social media devote so much time to social networking sites, they interfere with their daily functioning. In fact, addictive social media use looks very similar to a substance use disorder.

So where can you go for help if you believe that you or a loved one is addicted to social media? And are there any trusted treatment methods that can actually be used to treat social media addiction? CTRLCare Behavioral Health treats technology addiction in Princeton NJ, and we are confident that we can help you, too.

What is Social Media Addiction, and What are the Symptoms?

Experts do not classify social media addiction as a disease. That being said, any behaviors associated with excessive online activity are considered behavioral disorders. As researchers learn more about social media addiction, more statistics will come to light and help us better understand the extent of this problem.

In the meantime, we know that social media addiction presents itself similarly to other addictions. People who are addicted to social media spend so much time on social networking sites, their habits are harmful. Here are some of the warning signs that you may be dealing with more than a liking for social media.

  • Checking social media whenever you have the chance
  • Constantly watching to see how your posts ‘perform’
  • Feeling anxious when you can’t check social media
  • Hearing notifications when you really don’t
  • Neglecting other hobbies, activities and responsibilities to be on social media
  • Overthinking and spending excessive time planning your posts

Social Media and Mental Health

Considering that millions of people use social media every day, why is it that some people become dependent on it and require social media therapy in Princeton NJ and others don’t? While there are many possible reasons for this, the one we are going to focus on is mental health.

There is an undeniable link between social media use, negative mental health and low self-esteem. While there are benefits to using social media, too much time on these sites can cause you to feel unhappy and isolated. These feelings surface because of the pressures to constantly share things with others, as well as the comparison of your life as you know it to everyone else’s picture-perfect lives.

Think about it. When you sign onto social media, what do you see on your news feed? It’s probably mostly happy posts from friends and acquaintances, sharing about their jobs, homes, vacations, partners, material purchases, etc. Some people may feel happy or inspired after seeing these posts, but others feel jealous, insecure or depressed.

And, if you’re the latter group, you’re certainly not alone. Recent studies have found that excessive social media use can fuel anxiety, depression, FOMO (fear of missing out) and other mental health problems. But what happens when this cycle has already started? How can you stop the cycle of social media addiction?


Social Media Therapy in Princeton NJ

It can be difficult to know when poor social media habits actually become an addiction. But, consider this. According to Chicago University researchers, the urge to check social media is actually stronger than desires for alcohol or cigarettes.

Furthermore, a Harvard University study found that MRIs show social media activity stimulating the brain in the same ways as other addictive behaviors, such as binge eating disorders. Knowing how strong and powerful the urge to use social media is, you can better recognize the signs that it’s time for outside help.

CTRLCare Behavioral Health provides social media addiction therapy in Princeton NJ. We understand that people who are addicted to social media go through a period of withdrawal when they stop or decrease their social media use, and this can lead to anxiety or depression. It can also make you feel incredibly lonely and isolated as you’re ‘cut off’ from the rest of the world.

CTRLCare Social Media Addiction Therapy Princeton NJ
The good news is that social media addiction responds well to behavioral therapy in New Jersey, including:

  • Art and music therapy
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy
  • Dialectical behavior therapy
  • EMDR therapy
  • Family systems therapy
  • Motivational interviewing

The purpose of these therapies is to understand the root cause for your behaviors. Some people discover that they use social media as a way to escape the pain from past traumatic memories. Others use social media to measure their self-worth because they suffer from low self-esteem and depression. And others have addictive tendencies, such as impulsivity and compulsivity, that put them at a higher risk for behavioral addictions.

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Break the Cycle of Social Media Addiction

CTRLCare Behavioral Health specializes in social media addiction treatment in New Jersey. We work with many clients who are dependent on social media, so much that it causes their work, relationships and physical health to suffer.

If you are looking to ‘free’ yourself from constantly having to check social media, we can help. Most importantly, we can help you understand where these behaviors are coming from and how to prevent other harmful behaviors from forming in the future.


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CTRLCare Behavioral Health

29 Emmons Drive, Suite G-30
Princeton, NJ 08540

(609) 237-0088

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