Social Media Obsession Could Be A Sign Of Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Social media could be linked to narcissistic personality disorder, or the specific term used in a research study published in Psychology of Popular Media Culture, “grandiose narcissism”. Most are unaware that there are two types of narcissism: grandiose narcissism and vulnerable narcissism. Each have different character traits and qualities but are still rooted in an obsession with the self as the result of a deep issue with ego.

According to Reader’s Digest, the study discovered that there are four common traits associated with the “severe egotism” which accompanies narcissism fueled by obsessive social media use. First, there is the matter of how long people spend on social media. Many studies have investigated the correlation between time spent on social media and mental health. Increasingly, research reveals that the more time you spend on social media, the less happy and the less healthy you are likely to be. Second, there is the matter of how often people engage in social media, specifically sending off tweets or posting status updates on Twitter and Facebook respectively. Many people log onto to social media everyday but do not engage in activity. They look through their news feeds, check notifications, maybe reply to some things, and view the activity of their friends or followers. Third, there is the matter of how many of those friends and followers there are. Generally, there are two kinds of people in this situation. One kind of social media user restricts the amount of friends and followers they have just to people they know or specifically improve. The other kind think that the more people the better, paying little attention to who has gained access to the documentation of their lives. Lastly, there is the matter of selfies. Selfies are frequently linked to narcissistic personality disorder as a n example of self-obsession. For grandiose narcissists, selfies can be a sign of an inflated ego. For vulnerable narcissists, too many selfies could be the sign of a crumbling identity.

Am I A Narcissist Because Of My Social Media Use?

Social media use is not going to be the only sign or symptom of narcissistic personality disorder. If you’re afraid your slight or even extreme obsession with social media and yourself could be the sign of a mental health disorder, it is best to seek a professional consultation and assessment from a trained professional. Recovering from narcissism is possible through therapy and working to create new ways of relating to the self and to others.

Harmony Place offers premiere luxury residential treatment to dual diagnosis patients with substance use issues and co-occurring mental health disorders like narcissistic personality disorder. For a private consultation and more information on our programs, call us today at  1-855-627-1417.