Internet as Our Therapy Couch
I have been
fascinated by human behavior since about the 9th grade and that has
not changed some 35 years later. Having been trained as a clinical
neuropsychologist it is of interest to me that so many people use the Internet
as their vehicle for expressing a wide-range of emotions, personal feelings,
and even innermost secrets. In no small way, the Internet with FB and other
social media has become the “therapy couch” of today.
There is
perhaps a good thing about using the Internet in such a personal way and that
is it provides all a means of expression and personal reflection. It is also
true that much of what I see reflects a searching, sometimes a hint of
desperation, loneliness, and cry for help. Sitting behind the keyboard is a
person emoting, searching, and reaching out. I get concerned about the sense of
personal isolation and lack of in person connection or relatedness such a
person might be experiencing.
The
emotions certainly are wide ranging to include sadness, anger, happiness,
pride, hostility, anxiety, fear, and other. The other reality of such emotional
catharsis on social media is that readers of the catharsis can experience
surprise or even a type of recoiling. It is true some have gone so far as to
stop their participation on social media because of the evaporation of personal
boundaries.
I am often
asked about the role of technology on the human brain and there is no doubt it
is and will continue to affect our brain structurally and functionally. There
seems to be less attention paid to the psychological aspects of our use of
social media. I am not sure if it primarily good or bad, but I do believe there
are many who are using social media for cathartic expression and that the
psychotherapy couch of today is rapidly becoming keyboard-based.
Dr. Nussbaum
Brain Health Center
