In my experience, when you're diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, you often find yourself wondering how some of the most trivial things can cause such a significant impact on your mental health. And while you can be certain of what your triggers are and how to avoid them, there's always one that finds its way through the cracks. And if there's one thing that the majority of the world encounters on the daily which can often be anxiety-inducing, it's the internet. But does the internet make you anxious?

If I'm being honest, I can't remember a single day where I haven't accessed the internet in some form or another. Maybe back when I was a kid, but even then I was aware it existed even if I wasn't using it. As wonderful and innovative as technology is, it's scary to think about how reliant society has become on it and being able to get things instantly — whether that's information, communication, or that random product that you probably don't need from Amazon. It's enough to make you fall in to an existential crisis, which is where more often than not the anxiety comes in.

In a study conducted at McMaster University in Canada, researchers found that those who rely on the internet are susceptible to developing mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and impulsivity issues. "Individuals with internet addiction on both scales had more trouble in dealing with everyday activities," chief researcher Michael Van Ameringen said in a statement. They also "had significantly higher amounts of depression and anxiety symptoms, problems with planning and time management, greater levels of attentional impulsivity as well as ADHD symptoms," he added.

While that can be the result of a variety of aspects, it's likely that social media plays a part. Incessantly scrolling through your Twitter and Instagram feeds looking for likes and follows is bound to leave you feeling anxious. "What happens when they log on is that you kind of activate a lot of social comparison," professor of psychology at the University of Michigan Oscar Ybarra told medical site HealthLine.

Read the full article at Bustle.