High Anxiety: The impact of ‘doomscrolling’ on our mental health

Volume
28
/ Issue
26

Cover Design Credit:

Scott Southwick

Cover Photography Credit:

iStock
Doomscrolling — compulsively consuming negative social media or news — can create anxiety and sadness. People who doom- scroll want to be better informed about a rapidly changing world, but local mental health providers say the behavior often becomes an unhealthy pattern.

arts

food

living

  • Couples counseling flourishes amid COVID-19 pandemic

    -by John Owens
    “People are just calling left and right,” says James Colvin, a licensed marriage and family therapist in Asheville. “Last week I must’ve had seven or eight calls. I hate turning…
  • Q&A with Dr. Tiffany Sauls, psychiatrist providing psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy

    -by Jessica Wakeman
    Medical school did not teach Dr. Tiffany Sauls anything about psychedelics. “Not at all, other than to stay away,” she says with a laugh. But as she moved into her…
  • Health checkup: Meditation and cognitive therapy

    -by Xpress Contributor
    Xpress recently caught back up with Gary Ray, who shares with readers his efforts at keeping himself centered and the perks of revisiting old books. 
  • Q&A with Henry Begner of Smoky Mountain Counseling

    -by Kay West
    Xpress speaks with Henry Begner, licensed clinical mental health counselor, about treating anxiety and depression through connection, mindfulness and wilderness therapy.
  • Health checkup: The power of therapy

    -by Xpress Contributor
    Clarissa Donnelly-DeRoven, rural health and Medicaid reporter with North Carolina Health News, says that therapy can be an effective tool for managing mental health and recommends a way for the therapy-curious…
  • Health checkup: Staying active and taking control

    -by Xpress Contributor
    Antwon Small, a classically trained dancer who moved to Asheville in 2018, speaks with Xpress about meditation, journaling and podcasts. 
  • Q&A with Kelly Bruce, forest bathing guide

    -by Larry Griffin
    Kelly Bruce, a certified Forest Therapy Guide with Natural Wanders and Asheville Wellness Tours, speaks with Xpress about her approach to the work and what people can expect from a…
  • Health checkup: Cleansing the heart and mind

    -by Xpress Contributor
    Nicolina Ruiz, a Latina herbalist, energy healer and owner of Casa Alchemista Botanica, tells Xpress that a healthy body begins with a clear mind. 
  • Health checkup: Mind, body connection

    -by Xpress Contributor
    Lisa Lefler, Western Carolina University's director of culturally based native health programs, tells Xpress that physical health is intrinsically tied to the nature, spirit and relationships with others and ourselves.
  • Health checkup: Getting outdoors

    -by Xpress Contributor
    Danny Bernstein, an avid hiker, hike leader and outdoor writer speaks with Xpress on the benefits of maintaining a schedule, setting goals and healthy eating that benefits the body and brain. 
  • WNC mental health providers warn of ‘doomscrolling’

    -by Jessica Wakeman
    When Tiffany Schultz finally quit Facebook, it came after years of unease with the division and negativity she saw there. She joined the social network in 2006 but says she…
  • Health checkup: Community support and emotional intelligence

    -by Xpress Contributor
    Jamie Brazell, a local AASECT-certified sex therapist and group practice owner of Out of the Woods Therapy, shares her thoughts with Xpress on the perks of a rotating playlist, the need for…

news

opinion