Is It Just Stress – Or Something More? | Nirvana Clinic

Written by Dr. Debolina Chowdhury | Senior Psychiatrist, Nirvana Clinic, Greater Noida

In today’s fast-paced world, feeling stressed has become so common that most people dismiss it with, “It’s just stress, it will pass.” But when stress is constant, overwhelming, or starts affecting your sleep, mood, work, relationships, or studies, it may be more than “just stress.”

As a senior psychiatrist with over 14 years of experience, Dr. Debolina Chowdhury at Nirvana Clinic, Greater Noida, regularly sees patients who come saying they are “only stressed” – but on deeper evaluation, they are actually dealing with anxiety, depression, burnout, or emotional exhaustion related to social media overuse and constant comparison.

This article will help you understand the difference between everyday stress and warning signs that you may need professional mental health support.

📱 How Social Media Is Increasing Stress Without You Realising

Social media was designed to help us stay connected – but for many people it has become a source of continuous stress, comparison, and emotional overload.

1. Constant Comparison with “Perfect Lives”

Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and other platforms are filled with success stories, travel photos, fitness transformations, couple goals, and luxury lifestyles. Most of this is filtered, curated, or one-sided.

Yet the mind starts thinking:

“Everyone else is doing better than me.”
“My life is not as exciting.”
“I am behind in life compared to others.”

This constant comparison can lead to:

Low self-esteem
Self-doubt and guilt
Body image issues
Feeling like a failure despite doing reasonably well

2. Information Overload and Overstimulation

Your brain is not built to process hundreds of reels, posts, and videos every single day. This overexposure leads to:

Mental fatigue
Irritability and short temper
Reduced attention span
Restlessness and difficulty relaxing

3. Doomscrolling and Negative Content

News of conflicts, tragedies, negative opinions and extreme content tends to get more views and shares. Repeated exposure can trigger:

Anxiety and a sense of fear
Sleep disturbances
Feeling unsafe or hopeless about the future

4. Social Media Pressure in Teenagers and Young Adults

At Nirvana Clinic, Dr. Debolina sees many teenagers and college students struggling with:

Pressure to look “perfect” on camera
Needing likes, comments, and followers to feel worthy
Cyberbullying or subtle online criticism
Academic pressure combined with online comparison

Over time, all of this can turn normal stress into chronic anxiety, low mood, or even depression.

🧠 When It’s Not “Just Stress”: Important Warning Signs

Day-to-day stress is part of life. But certain patterns suggest something deeper is going on and you may need help from a psychiatrist or mental health professional.

Warning signs to watch out for:

Feeling overwhelmed even with simple tasks
Difficulty falling asleep, waking up often, or sleeping too much
Persistent sadness, emptiness, or irritability for weeks
Loss of interest in hobbies, socialising, or activities you once enjoyed
Constant worry, overthinking and “what if” thoughts
Heart racing, tight chest, or panic-like episodes without clear trigger
Withdrawing from friends, family, or social situations
Headaches, body pain, acidity, or fatigue with no clear medical cause

If you notice three or more of these symptoms lasting for more than two weeks, it may be more than stress – it could be an anxiety disorder, depression, burnout, or another mental health condition.

🌪️ Stress, Anxiety, Depression – What’s the Difference?

Stress

Stress is usually a response to an external situation – deadlines, exams, arguments, financial issues, workload. When the situation improves, the stress generally goes down.

Anxiety

With anxiety, the mind remains on alert even when there is no immediate pressure. You may feel constantly tense, worried, or afraid that “something will go wrong” without a clear reason.

Depression

Depression is more than just sadness. It can involve:

Low energy and lack of motivation
Negative or hopeless thoughts
Loss of pleasure in daily life
Changes in sleep and appetite
Feeling disconnected or numb

Burnout

Burnout is emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by prolonged stress. It is very common in working professionals, caregivers, students, and content creators.

A trained psychiatrist like Dr. Debolina can help you understand what you are really going through and suggest the right treatment approach.

🌿 How Dr. Debolina Helps Patients with Stress and Social Media-Related Issues

At Nirvana Clinic, Greater Noida, the focus is not just on giving a label or a tablet. The approach is holistic and personalised.

1. Detailed Assessment

Sessions involve understanding your lifestyle, sleep habits, social media use, family history, personality patterns, and emotional triggers. This helps differentiate between stress, anxiety, depression, burnout or other conditions.

2. Social Media and Screen-Time Planning

Instead of saying “Just delete everything,” a realistic, step-by-step plan is created:

Limiting screen time in small, manageable steps
Removing toxic accounts that trigger comparison or insecurity
Creating technology-free zones (like before bedtime)
Encouraging offline hobbies and real-life connections

3. Therapy and Thought Restructuring

Using principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and other psychological tools, patients learn to:

Identify negative thinking patterns
Reduce comparison with others
Handle criticism and rejection better
Build self-worth that is not dependent on social media

4. Mindfulness, Emotional Regulation & Lifestyle Changes

Relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, journaling, and small lifestyle adjustments are taught to slow down overthinking and calm the nervous system.

5. Medication (Only When Needed)

In moderate to severe cases of anxiety, depression, panic attacks, or insomnia, medication may be recommended. These are prescribed carefully after discussion, ensuring safety, minimal side effects, and regular follow-up.

💬 Real Experiences (Anonymised)

“Every time I opened Instagram, I felt like everyone else’s life was better. I couldn’t stop comparing. With therapy and guidance from Dr Debolina, I now use social media more mindfully and feel more at peace with myself.”

“I kept telling myself it was just work stress. But I was exhausted, angry, and not sleeping. After a few sessions, I realised I was close to burnout. Taking help early changed everything.”

📍 Consult a Psychiatrist in Greater Noida if You Feel It’s More Than Just Stress

If stress, overthinking, social media pressure, or low mood are affecting your daily life, you don’t have to manage it alone. Early support can prevent long-term mental health problems and improve your quality of life.

Nirvana Clinic, Greater Noida
Shop No. 11, LGF, Arcadia Complex,
Eldeco Green Meadows, Pi 1 & 2, Greater Noida

📞 Call/WhatsApp: 8800262767
🌐 Website: www.nirvanaclinics.com
📍 Google Maps: Find Nirvana Clinic

If you’re wondering, “Is it just stress – or something more?”, that itself is a sign to pause, reflect, and reach out for help.