Dr. Rob Hindman, a clinical psychologist at the Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy in Bala Cynwyd, believes setting a time limit when doomscrolling – or continuously scrolling through bad news – is important to avoid being enveloped in feelings of fear and anxiety, writes Megan Frank for PBS39.

“One story is going to lead to the next,” said Hindman. “That’s how news sites are organized. So, you have to commit to only being online for a certain amount of time.”

He added that for most people doomscrolling is not necessarily an addictive behavior but more a bad habit. Still, it can significantly impact a person’s life in negative ways, he said.

“When you’re taken out of the experience, that emotion doesn’t just go away. You’re in an amped up emotional state,” said Hindman. “So, even while you’re eating dinner, these feelings stay with you.”

Another way to fight the effects of doomscrolling is to balance the negative news with some positive stories. Also, when starting to feel overwhelmed, it is good for people to lay down their devices and do different something else they enjoy.

Read more about doomscrolling at PBS39 by clicking here.

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