The persistent online reading of unfavorable news, particularly in times of crisis or uncertainty, is known as "doomscrolling."
It stems from the negative bias of the brain, which is our innate propensity to prioritize bad news over positive information in order to survive.
Anxiety loops are triggered by the continual barrage of upsetting updates, which lead us to believe that being informed would keep us in control.
Negative content frequently receives more hits, shares, and reactions than positive content since social media and news applications are made to encourage interaction.
Doomscrolling gives the illusion of productivity, making us feel like we’re doing something important, even if it’s mentally draining.
Stress chemicals like cortisol are released, causing a fight-or-flight reaction that can exacerbate anxiety and sleep issues.
The brain begins anticipating unpleasant news and actively seeks it out over time, reinforcing a cycle of anticipatory dread.
Many people doomscroll late at night, which causes retaliatory bedtime procrastination—delaying sleep in an attempt to regain control in a world that is too overwhelming.
It frequently stems from empathy overload—we care about other people's pain, but too much exposure can cause fatigue and despair.
Cognitive distortions brought on by doomscrolling might make the world appear more hazardous or broken than it truly is.
Additionally, it encourages learned helplessness, which feeds apathy or despair by perpetuating the idea that nothing can be improved or changed.
With group chats or feeds normalizing terror, indignation, and spreading doom-based content, the behavior might be socially reinforced.
It can impact relationships, productivity, and mental health, leading to emotional numbness or even depressive symptoms.
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In the end, doomscrolling reflects a fundamental human yearning for safety and purpose in a chaotic environment, but it only makes things worse when there is no balance.