Have you ever gone on Facebook or Twitter and seen the same friend post a seemingly endless stream of updates? That kind of constant over-sharing can be annoying and obnoxious, but it may also be a sign of something much deeper.
According to human behavior expert Eric Barker, emotionally unstable people post on social media more often, seeking a supportive environment that will help control their feelings.
Psychologists actually encourage the behavior because they say people are more likely to share their emotions online, and the potential for empathy gives their well-being a much-needed boost.
The one downside to using Facebook as a pseudo therapist’s office, though, is that it can damage people’s self-esteem by showing them what they’ll never have.
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Most people’s profiles aren’t actually an accurate depiction of their real lives — we use Facebook as more of a highlight reel that shows the good, brag-worthy stuff and leaves out the bad. These seemingly unattainable lives may make emotionally unstable people feel worse by comparison, making Facebook a self-esteem buzzkill.
Nevertheless, experts seem to agree that emotionally unstable people are flocking to social media — and that’s ultimately a good thing. That isn’t to say every friend or follower you have who can’t go two minutes without telling the world their every thought is emotionally out of whack.
But the next time you notice a friend posting a stream of sensitive updates, consider the possibility that they may actually need a real-life friend to confide in.
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