The term "social network" refers both to a person's connections to other people in the real world and to a platform that supports online communication, such as Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. The term is now used more often in the second sense, and the Internet provides an opportunity for anyone to create an online identity , connect with friends, family, and strangers alike, acquire knowledge, and share ideas and information without having to be physically present. Instead, one’s presence is r
When Social Networking Becomes Part of Your Identity
Living with social networking over time can lead to a fusion of identity and diagnosis. You may find yourself thinking "I am social networking" rather than "I have social networking." This identity fusion has significant consequences:
- Reduces motivation (why try if this is just who I am?)
- Increases shame and stigma internalization
- Makes recovery feel like losing part of yourself
- Limits how others see you (and how you see yourself)
Reclaiming a Multidimensional Identity
Your identity is vastly larger than social networking. A powerful exercise: complete this sentence 20 times with anything other than your struggles:
"I am someone who ___________"
Values, roles, relationships, interests, history, capabilities — all form your identity.
Social Networking as One Chapter, Not the Whole Story
Narrative therapy offers a powerful reframe: social networking is one story in a much larger life narrative. You are the author, not the character defined by struggle.
Externalizing the problem: Practice talking about "Social Networking that visits me" rather than "my Social Networking." This linguistic shift creates psychological distance and agency.
Building Identity Beyond Social Networking
- Invest in relationships that see your full self, not just your struggles
- Pursue interests unrelated to mental health — art, sport, learning, creativity
- Find meaning — purpose larger than symptom management provides identity anchor
- Contribute to others — giving to others builds positive identity components
- Celebrate growth — document how you've changed, overcome, adapted
The Strengths That Social Networking Builds
Many people find that navigating social networking develops genuine strengths: deep empathy, resilience, self-awareness, creativity, and a hard-won wisdom about what matters in life.