Is it necessary to quit social media if it triggers my OCD and anxiety?

Question

Is it a compulsion to get rid of social media. I feel extremely triggered by social media, even before I had ocd my boyfriend told me to get off tik tok because it was feeding so much bullshit into my head and making me worry about my relationship because there was so many cheating video things on there… I took myself off Facebook when me and bf broke up months ago, we got back together but social media was one of our biggest problems in our relationship so he still chooses to not have me on there which is fine. But I sorta just don’t even see a point in having it? At the same time tho, I don’t want to go on there also because I get triggered easily by things. Was thinking of if I go back on there one day to just make all new accounts for things, if I choose or want it again one day…

Username: Formerlyanonymous Formerlyanon...

Date posted: 50w ago

I don’t know if it’s a compulsion but it may be avoidance. I’m not an expert but I don’t think it’s the worst thing ever to delete social media for a while so you can focus on your mental health, it could even be a good idea. Maybe in the future you could use social media as an exposure for ERP.

Username: MannyDMannyD

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 50w ago

Honestly I got rid of all my Social Media, and after the initial withdrawal period, I have a lot more peace in my life.

Username: MannyDMannyD

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 50w ago

And no, I don’t think it’s a compulsion, I think it’s wise. Most of what we see isn’t real or good for our mental health.

Username: Livv96315863Livv96315863

Date posted: 50w ago

It can be incredibly overwhelming, and ultimately it isn’t that important unless you’re a social media manager or influencer, there really isn’t any good reason to have it. If it’s causing you stress or hurting your relationships, taking a break or even ending your accounts sounds like the right call. If that’s too much, I’ve started leaving my phone in another room during the day just to force myself not to grab my phone out of habit. It’s definitely helping but it hasn’t been too long, just a week now, but I have noticed I’m less overwhelmed and distracted, and my mind seems to wander to intrusive thoughts less since I’m more focused on what I’m doing

Username: jpell0wjpell0w

Date posted: 50w ago

I ditched social media and only use VSCO as a creative outlet! However I do know that scrolling can have the potential for a flare up, because we can never be sure what someone else posts! IG I found to be toxic and unpredictable! Not healthy for an OCD mind!

Username: SadUnicorn3 🦄SadUnicorn3 🦄

Date posted: 50w ago

@jpell0w But is that classed as avoidance ? Not going on social media incase there is something inappropriate that pops up. Like I’m not having a go I’m literally asking because I don’t want to feel I’m doing a compulsion. I sort of feel like Pinterest could be good to use for creative stuff, like you use VSCO. Yeah honestly I feel better without having it, my whole life since I could have social media, I’ve had it and been addicted and actually removed myself off it during ocd flare up , cause I was so triggered by everything, but it was also because my bf doesn’t want me on there (social media caused lots of issues for us before we broke up months ago) so he chooses to not have me on there which is fine… but yeah I really don’t even see a point in having it for a few reasons. Just ocd always says if I don’t get back on social media one day then I’m avoiding and that means I’ll be stuck in the ocd cycle forever…

Username: jpell0wjpell0w

Date posted: 50w ago

@SadUnicorn3 I think if you recognize that social media has the potential to trigger, then no don’t think that’s avoidance. I thought the same thing I’m avoiding IG because I’m afraid of seeing something or being triggered by something but I essence im doing myself a favor, plus it can seriously decrease screen time.

Username: SadUnicorn3 🦄SadUnicorn3 🦄

Date posted: 50w ago

I just don’t want to be doing compulsions… cause I know I’m the long run it will only make me worse. My dad got off social media and he said it’s the best decision he ever made he just seen too much shit on there… not REAL LIFE. And that’s kind of my mindset too, aswell as that I don’t even have my bf on there so I don’t feel like I even want to have it. I honestly don’t crave even going on there like I used to…

Username: SadUnicorn3 🦄SadUnicorn3 🦄

Date posted: 50w ago

It’s just really the only reason I had social media was for memes or to keep updated with family and friends, besides that it really holds no value to me, you see more crap on there than good stuff and I’ve always been so addicted to my phone because of social media. I guess I don’t want to feel like I have to have it just because I’m worried I’m doing a compulsion because I also get triggered on Facebook and stuff.

Username: marsi

Date posted: 5y ago

Has anyone deleted social media because of triggering things? I find it helps as a distraction when I am anxious but then it can be extremely triggering when people talk about being sick or a news article talks about an illness being spread.

Contamination OCD

Username: Annia

Date posted: 3y ago

Do you think social media (Instagram specifically) can be harmful when in a crisis or in a period of time where OCD is particularly strong and present? I deleted Instagram from my phone because it felt like it implied exposure to too many triggers.

Username: JenniferNSepp

Date posted: 1y ago

Could use advice

Hello, I've used this app before but sometimes avoid to not remind myself that I do have ocd. So acouple of months ago there was an upsetting video that circuled around the internet and I deleted my tiktok and instagram to avoid it. I've been using ig only on other people's phones because it just feels safer. Safe to safe just the description of this particular video left me traumatized and my ocd "flares up" when I have PMS. For me, I'm scared of being on ig because I get scared I'm gonna see or hear about that video or even worse, look up the particular things to "make sure" its deleted off of the internet. I know I would never put myself to witness something so awful, but the idea of me even thinking about it is enough to scare me and makes the simplicity of enjoying ig kinda nerve-wracking and I wonder if anyone on this app understands this feeling and knows ways to use social media in a peaceful way. I would really appreciate advice and thank you a lot to anyone who took the time to read this! Thank you 😊

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Is it necessary to quit social media if it triggers my OCD and anxiety?

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