Digital technology has fundamentally changed the landscape for post-traumatic stress disorder — both worsening it through new channels of comparison and avoidance, and improving access to support and treatment.
How Technology Worsens Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Social media enables constant social comparison that amplifies post-traumatic stress disorder
- Notifications and always-on work culture prevent recovery from stress
- Doomscrolling and news consumption can worsen anxiety and mood
- Screen time late at night disrupts sleep patterns that regulate post-traumatic stress disorder
- Passive consumption replaces active activities that buffer against post-traumatic stress disorder
How Technology Helps Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Teletherapy has dramatically improved access to post-traumatic stress disorder treatment
- Mental health apps provide evidence-based tools at low cost
- Online communities reduce isolation for those with post-traumatic stress disorder
- Educational content helps people understand and destigmatize post-traumatic stress disorder
Healthy Technology Habits for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Designated phone-free times (especially mornings and before bed)
- Curate social media to reduce post-traumatic stress disorder triggers
- Intentional vs. passive consumption
- Balance screen time with activities that genuinely restore