To learn more about our well-being and the ways we can keep it in check, we contacted Dr. Jonice Webb, who has a PhD in clinical psychology and is the author of the bestselling books Running on Empty: Overcome Your Childhood Emotional Neglect and Running On Empty No More: Transform Your Relationships.
"One of the biggest mistakes most of us make with our mental health is not paying enough attention to our feelings," Webb told Bored Panda. "When you are aware of what you are feeling and why, you are empowered to act in your own best interests and less likely to make mistakes."
For those wondering about the scope of these problems, one out of every two people in the world will develop a mental health disorder in their lifetime, according to a large-scale 2023 study co-led by researchers from Harvard Medical School and the University of Queensland.
The findings are based on structured, face-to-face surveys of more than 150,000 adults across 29 countries of varying wealth from all of the regions of the world.
The researchers said the results illustrate the high prevalence of mental health disorders worldwide, with 50 percent of the population developing at least one disorder by the age of 75.
The study showed that the most common mental illnesses were mood disorders and that the risk of certain mental disorders differed by sex.
The three most common mental health disorders among women were: depression, specific phobia (a disabling anxiety that interferes with daily life), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The three most common mental health disorders among men were: alcohol abuse, depression, and specific phobia.
The researchers also discovered that mental health disorders typically first emerge in childhood, adolescence, or young adulthood.
Of course, a lot depends on the specifics, but Dr. Jonice Webb suggests that we need to be honest with ourselves if we want to cultivate resilience.
"First, be aware of your feelings about the challenge you are facing," she said.
"Second, as you consider your feelings, think about what those feelings are telling you and whether those feelings are taking you in a healthy direction or not."
"Third, determine what you need in order to determine the next step," the psychologist added.
According to Webb, as you go through the first three steps she mentioned, you may realize that you need more information.
"Maybe you need the observations of someone who knows you well, data or facts about the thing you are considering, or some help sorting through your feelings and thoughts."
And that's perfectly fine. But "if you decide to seek input from another person, always make sure that you are consulting someone who is able to be objective, who has shown they can make good decisions in general, and who has your own best interests at heart."
However, if you decide to stick to online content for the time being, just make sure the content isn't entirely gloomy. Doomscrolling—or the rabbit holes we often find ourselves in on the internet, reading, searching, and 'investigating' the toils and troubles of the day—has been found to cause symptoms similar to PTSD such as anxiety and despair.