With heightening interest and increasing awareness being raised in recent years around mental health, mental illness, and the subsequent acknowledgement of their seriousness alongside physical health. Many have begun to realize the extent to which things and people around them affect their health and psychological well-being. Social media may seem like a harmless means of entertainment and gap-fillers. It often takes some people a long time to realize the link between social media and the negative feelings arising within. This link exists and is also exhibited by friends, family and the surrounding environment in general. Sometimes, we fail to see how bad it’s hurting us until the wound has cut too deep and has become too difficult to heal.
On World Mental Health Day, ELLE editors sit down with renowned psychologist Dr. Mostafa El-Nahas to discuss the effects of social media on mental health, misconceptions about mental illnesses, and ways to maintain inner peace.
Q: Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives. How can someone gain the awareness to distinguish between virtual life (which often leads to frustration) and the reality filled with ups and downs?
A: Maturity gives us awareness of the impermanence of feelings; all our emotions are temporary, regardless of how deep or painful they may seem. Furthermore, the idealized images others present on social media contribute to frustration, showcasing polished aspects of life while omitting the broken parts. Recognizing this difference signifies maturity and awareness of fluctuating emotions, calling for a rejection of the concept of “toxic positivity,” which leads us to believe we must live in perpetual happiness. This puts immense pressure on us to attain perfection, which is nearly impossible.
Q: How can we recognize when we’re using social media as a “psychological painkiller”?
A: Psychological painkillers are usually used to silence the sounds of our negative feelings or to sedate accumulating depressing thoughts. If you find yourself using your phone as a means of escapism or scrolling for hours on end, or sleeping for excessive periods of time, or even trying to distract yourself with video games and finding that you don’t feel any more relaxed or comfortable afterwards, this may be a sign that you are resorting to these fruitless activities to sedate your mind and, to escape the negative feelings and problems that you are trying to avoid.
Q: Perfection is an illusion we chase. How can one reconcile with the incomplete parts of their life?
A: The pursuit of perfection is a scourge of our times, leading to continuous comparisons with others and preventing us from making any progress in our lives, leaving us paralyzed. We need to embrace ourselves as we are and believe that our worth is not shaped by our achievements. A person’s value stems from their existence; achievements and successes follow. When we accept our shortcomings and understand that we are human, facing difficulties and undergoing many fluctuations, we can begin to heal and reconcile with ourselves.
Q: How can people make peace with their insecurities, ones that are exacerbated by specific content on social media?
A: Everyone experiences a degree of insecurity at various stages of life. It’s essential to acknowledge this feeling without judgment, blame, shame, or trivialization. Self-acceptance and insight into our inner experiences are the first steps toward better handling these feelings. We must understand that insecurity is not fixed and is certainly not permanent; it can change with conscious engagement.
Q: Can someone self-diagnose a mental disorder based on information found online?
A: Many individuals tend to assume they have a mental disorder simply because they heard about it somewhere. For instance, anxiety patients often believe they exhibit the symptoms they’ve just read about. We always advise anxiety patients to avoid content related to mental disorders and their symptoms, as they will likely project those symptoms onto themselves. This is not limited to anxiety sufferers; it can also occur with OCD and histrionic personality disorder, and even normal people. Accurate diagnosis must be conducted by a qualified mental health professional, as self-diagnosis can be misleading.
Q: What is the difference between a psychiatrist, a therapist, and a life coach?
A: A psychiatrist is a medical doctor specializing in psychiatry, diagnosing patients and prescribing treatment. While a therapist holds degrees in psychology and conducts therapy sessions, which greatly assist in diagnosing a patient’s condition. They are responsible for conducting individual or group therapy sessions. In contrast, a life coach focuses on improving the quality of life for individuals without mental disorders, helping them navigate their relationships, careers, and daily life challenges.
Q: What are the misconceptions about borderline personality disorder?
A: This disorder is characterized by impulsive behaviors and a sense of internal emptiness. Those with it may engage in self-destructive actions and get involved in unhealthy relationships. However, not everyone who is moody or experiences mood swings has borderline personality disorder. This diagnosis requires a specific set of symptoms to be present in a balanced manner, as determined by a qualified professional.
Q: How can someone distinguish between natural mood fluctuations and disorders like bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder?
A: Mood fluctuations exist in everyone to varying degrees, and this does not mean everyone is borderline or bipolar. Mood swings can occur in those who cannot manage their emotions and may intensify in sensitive individuals or those carrying accumulated negative feelings.
Q: On the occasion of World Mental Health Day, if a campaign were launched on social media under your supervision, what topic would you choose to discuss?
A: I would focus on “information vetting,” emphasizing the importance of not relying on unknown sources or untrustworthy individuals for mental health information. A single piece of misinformation or a conversation with a non-specialist can cause deep mental harm.
Q: What is your advice for maintaining inner peace?
A: There’s no one-size-fits-all advice, as each individual has their own feelings, their own case. However, the most important thing is for individuals to recognize themselves and their needs. One should put themselves first, and embrace all their feelings; good and bad. This shall help maintain mental balance and inner peace.
Finally, on World Mental Health Day, ELLE editors send out love and support to all those struggling in their lives, to those burdened by anxiety, to everyone who finds it difficult to express what is going on within. Here, we mention our editor’s favorite quote from the “Before the Coffee Gets Cold,”: “Seasons flow in a cycle. Life too, passes through difficult winters. But after any winter, spring will follow.”
We hope you enjoyed Dr. El Nahas’ talk as much as we did!
