- Despite it not being a formally recognised condition, social media withdrawl “can feel very real, particularly for teenagers and young adults”, according to Dr Vica (Victoria) Khromova, consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist at Cygnet Health Care.
- Key signs of social media withdrawal in teens include irritability, boredom and anxiety, Dr Khromova and Hilda Burke, BACP-accredited psychotherapist and author of The Phone Addiction Workbook, said.
- “Interactions on social media – such as messages, likes and notifications – triggers the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter linked to motivation, reward and pleasure and the brain can become accustomed to these frequent bursts of stimulation, making the absence of them feel uncomfortable,” Dr Khromova said.
- She added that abruptly stopping social media, or going “cold turkey”, can be difficult, with improvements typically seen after three or four weeks.
- Managing withdrawal involves self-compassion, a gradual reduction in use, replacing social media with other rewarding activities, and parents acting as positive role models.
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