The Facebook or the social network sites can be the place where we can share our feelings, keep us up to date to the latest information but represents also a trap in which we can easily fall.
From a psychological point of view, the picture painted on Facebook contains a subconscious desire or a need:
- The need for communication, longing to be flattered because I consider myself a good looking person,
- The need to be praised for my level of culture or curiosity to know what others do,
- The need to compare myself with others,
- The need to show off the places where I spent my holidays or the car I purchased.
All these needs lead to a distorted image presented on the website; just to show what I think represents me the best; to show myself in a pleasant light to the world. Thus, makeup, silicon, a good angle for photographs, a naked body, the copied image from the net or the photograph taken next to an expensive car is a kind of „bait” that show the need to conquer, precisely because in real life they fail.
The degree of the culture or the possibility of real communication brought by such social networks is almost zero. The culture is represented by a famous quotation that receives dozens of likes but does not change the lives of those who read it. A photograph of a naked girl receives thousands of likes, even if it is real or not, when a real novel is too long and bores the readers.
Behind a Facebook account there can hide numerous disorders:
1. Histrionic disorder: I have the hottest hair style, landscapes, clothing, makeup, etc. I do everything to stand out, to be noticed.
2. Narcissistic disorder: I am gorgeous! I look so well in pictures. My photos are the most successful; I have to post as many as possible.
3. Dependent disorder: How little likes I have! They are my friends, why they are not giving me more likes; they don’t care about me anymore?
4. Depressive disorder: I cannot believe how well others are doing! I have a miserable life; I am not able to do anything. Nobody cares about me.
5. Addictive disorder: I watch what others post and I feel troubled. For this reason I feel the need to do something, to eat, smoke, etc.
6. Anxiety Disorder: My god, look at others how many things they do! I need to do something, change something, I cannot be so static. I have to live my life!
7. Paranoid disorder: I need to be careful, everyone is watching my profile. Whatever they are posting is a response to what I post, it certainly has something to do with me.
8. Schizoid disorder: I have a fake account and track everything that happens. Nobody must know that is me.
The solution? First, detoxify your daily schedule. The Internet addiction is similar to alcohol or drug addiction.
If you find that time spent on social networking sites is too high, consult a psychologist. Otherwise, unfortunately, virtual reality will no longer be an objective reality, but only an imaginary one. The serious problem will arise when you will want to come back and you might have to face the real world.
Autor: Psiholog Constantin Cornea