How does doomscrolling actually affect us?

We engage in a host of activities and behaviours that are destructive to ourselves and by the time we realise the damage it does to us—physical, mental or emotional—it’s too late and we have a tough time quitting them. One such habit that almost all of us have succumbed to is doomscrolling—endless scrolling through social media and news feeds seeking depressing and negative information—which came into light during the pandemic. 

We’re pretty sure, like us, you’re guilty of doing it at some point in life, or continue to do it even today. But it’s important to know why we choose to do it despite knowing it’s not doing us any good... 

Why we do it?

The brain works in mysterious ways. “The fear of missing out a.k.a. FOMO prompts people to indulge in doomscrolling. They think they will miss out on something important if they don’t keep up with the times. The habit also stems from the basic need for information to give them a sense of preparedness if something untoward happens. There is also a social pressure to be aware of all the happenings around us, lest you will come across as ignorant and maybe be mocked, too,” says Mehezabin Dordi, clinical psychologist, Sir H N Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai.

According to Sherene Aftab, founder, Serene Hour Counselling & Career Advice Consultancy, it has a lot to do with how we’ve been as a species. “The behaviour can be traced back to our previous generations’ living conditions and lifestyles. They did not have a sense of security, and always had an eye out for threats to be able to safeguard themselves in time and be prepared for any surprises. This habit of constantly seeking unfortunate events has been ingrained in us. We’ve got radar to only look at threats and eliminate them.”

Choosing your truth and being in control 

Doomscrolling feels convenient. “This is where confirmation bias comes into play. If you believe a certain piece of information is true, it can feel very validating and encouraging to ‘find’ more feeds to support it. Furthermore, it gives an illusion of control—if you think you know what is going to happen, you will not feel anxious. By being informed about the negative things and events, we feel we have a better understanding of what’s taking place around us.”

Why is doomscrolling addictive? 

Despite all the complexities of the human brain, we have a simple way of functioning. Aftab says, “If you have five positive experiences and one negative instance or if things don’t go your way, you tend to identify with it. It will override all positive emotions, and this is where the cognitive bias creeps in.” 

Dordi says, “From a neurobiological standout, doomscrolling, after some time, becomes an addiction. Like other addictions, doomscrolling activates the brain’s reward system by releasing dopamine—a neurotransmitter that’s associated with pleasure and reward. The more you practice the behaviour, the more rewarding it feels.

How does it harm

Doomscrolling affects the mind and the body. “In addition to triggering anxiety and depression, it aggravates pre-existing mental health issues. It makes it tough for people to see the world in a positive light. The body releases hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline in short bursts, that help humans protect against threats, thus giving them a temporary sense of security. But in the long term, it can cause stress, burnout and other mental health challenges,” says Dordi. 

What is the way out?

Getting rid of an addiction or an unrewarding habit requires conscious effort. “Understand what upsets you, move away from it, and start looking for things that are in complete contrast to it, and take your time to reconnect with yourself. You can practice and gratitude. Switch the habit with more constructive practices like reading, walking, working out, and more. Remember, despite the many negatives in your life, every experience leaves you with something to learn,” says Aftab.