Motor City Hypnotist
Motor City Hypnotist
Social Media's Impact on Mental Health - Part 2
The digital landscape we navigate daily seems innocent enough – a scroll here, a like there – but beneath the surface lies a complex web of psychological impacts that are reshaping our mental health. Beyond the filtered photos and carefully crafted captions exists a troubling reality: social media has become a breeding ground for anxiety, depression, and crippling self-doubt.
We're tackling the uncomfortable truth about how platforms designed to connect us are often driving us further into isolation and comparison. When you see friends celebrating milestones, taking dream vacations, or simply appearing to lead perfect lives, remember – you're seeing precisely what they want you to see. It's a highlight reel, not reality, yet our brains process these curated snapshots as authentic representations of others' lives.
The psychological toll is significant. FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) triggers anxiety when we witness events we weren't invited to. Self-esteem plummets when comparing our ordinary days to others' extraordinary moments. Even relationships suffer as online interactions create new dynamics that can threaten established connections. Young people are particularly vulnerable, developing their identities against impossible digital standards that no real person can match.
We share personal examples from our lives and clinical practice, including how teenagers navigate these digital waters and techniques to protect your mental well-being. While we don't suggest abandoning social media entirely, we advocate for mindful consumption – recognizing when platforms are harming rather than helping your psychological state.
Ready to break free from the digital comparison trap? Listen now for practical strategies to shield your mental health while still enjoying the benefits of our connected world. And don't miss our upcoming episodes where we'll dive deeper into how social media affects our relationships with partners, friends, and family.
Your digital well-being matters. Text "hypnosis" to 313-800-8510 for your free guide and join us as we explore healthier ways to engage with the platforms that have become so central to modern life.
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Change your thinking, change your life!
Laugh hard, run fast, be kind.
David R. Wright MA, LPC, CHT
The Motor City Hypnotist
David Wright: 0:00
In this episode of the Motor City Hypnotist Podcast, we're coming in with part two of social media and mental health. How does social media hurt you, how maybe it can help you and there's some strategies for you to implement so that you're not as affected by it as a lot of people are. And, as usual, we're giving away free stuff. Hang in there, folks, we'll be right back.
Announcer: 0:23
This sounds like something for the authorities in detroit. Well, jokes on you. I'm living to 102 and then dying, like the city of detroit guys like this antique over here out of detroit spawned in the hellfires of motown.
Announcer: 0:37
Take him to detroit no, no, not detroit, no, no, please, anything with that. No, stationed in drambuie, it's worse than detroit. No, not Detroit, no, no, please, anything but that. No, stationed in Drambuie, it's worse than Detroit. We did not have, as a unit, the confidence that we felt like we needed to beat Detroit. Let's go to Detroit. Now you're talking brother. I don't think so. He plays for Detroit. Now Do they have many farms in Detroit? Detroit, it's in Michigan. I go to school. I know where Detroit. Now Do they have many farms in Detroit? Detroit to Michigan. I go to school. I know where Detroit is. Get ready for the Motor City hypnotist, david R Wright. Originating from the suburbs of Detroit, michigan, he has hypnotized thousands of people from all over the United States. David R Wright has been featured on news outlets all across the country and is the clinical director of an outpatient mental health and hypnosis clinic located just south of Detroit, where he helps people daily using the power of hypnosis. Welcome the Motor City Hypnotist, david R Wright.
David Wright: 1:53
What is going on, my friends? This is David Wright, the Motor City Hypnotist, and we're back with another episode of the Motor City Hypnotist podcast. Yeah, you're back Hanging out. That is Matt Fox, the other voice you hear. We're hanging out having a drink here on the palatial podcast your Voice, southfield Studios.
Matt Fox: 2:10
It is definitely Monday.
David Wright: 2:11
It is Monday and it's about 835-ish and we're doing a podcast. So wherever you guys are, thanks for tuning in.
Matt Fox: 2:18
You know that hour that we lost? Yes, that was the hour I was going to be at the gym. Oh, so you gave it up. Huh, yeah, it's darn.
Announcer: 2:25
Yeah, it's crazy.
Matt Fox: 2:27
You know, yeah, priorities, man, I know right, I still refer back to the Princess Bride. Yeah, when I just stole one hour of your life, how do you feel now?
David Wright: 2:42
The fuck are you.
Matt Fox: 2:44
I already getting off. That could have been the response in that situation so we're here.
David Wright: 2:49
Um, let me tell you first, folks, where you can find me. Website is motorcityhypnotistcom. All kinds of stuff on the website. Check it out, especially if you're looking to book a show. As I've said, the episodes leading up to this one and we're going to say it until the time comes, the episodes leading up to this one, and we're going to say it until the time comes. Prom and grad season is upon us and if you want your post prom party or your grad night party and you need a hypnotist, motor city hypnotistcom slash shows. You can get a quote within minutes, book it, put your deposit and reserve the date. So do that now because, again, dates are filling up. You may or may not get your date, but so do that now because, again, dates are filling up. You may or may not get your date, but reach out and you'll know for sure. My social media links Facebook and YouTube are Motor City Hypnotist, and Snapchat, instagram and TikTok are all Motor City Hypno H-Y-P-N-O. I love that and, as we've done, every episode.
David Wright: 3:39
Going back to number one, and we're on 297 today. Free hypnosis guide. Text the word hypnosis to 313-800-8510, and again, that's 800-8510. If you need the number, it's the website number. If you'd look to go to the website, motorcityhypnotistcom, that's the number that's there. You can text it right to that number and you'll, within a few minutes, you'll get a free hypnosis guide and a link to my Google page where you can leave a review of this show, a hypnosis show or even a personal hypnosis session, if you've seen me for that. So that would be greatly appreciated. Reviews help. And again, if you're listening to the audio of the podcast on whatever platform you're on Stitcher, spotify, itunes- whatever, dora, I don't care whatever one, connect, link, like subscribe, whatever it is on your platform.
David Wright: 4:31
And again there, the big thing is leave a review, just don't pay, just don't pay for it? No, yeah, because you can get. Any of these platforms you get, you can get for free.
Matt Fox: 4:41
Yeah, I mean spotify well, you can subscribe to it.
David Wright: 4:44
You subscribe to whatever, whatever your stuff is, but but yeah, um, and leaving a review just helps us get to more people and grow the show, which is fantastic. Love that, all righty, we're ready, here we go, yeah.
Announcer: 5:05
That's how winning is done.
Matt Fox: 5:07
I'm curious what are we doing? Because it was Steve Carell last episode. Okay, this is from.
David Wright: 5:11
Shropshire, england. I won't have a Shropshire.
Matt Fox: 5:14
England. Is it St Paddy's Day related? No, it is not, darn.
David Wright: 5:20
I don't like the opening sentence of this story because it kind of gives away the twist. It's not really a twist, but Then save it.
Matt Fox: 5:31
Was that a twist?
David Wright: 5:32
Mary Karen, m-a-i-r-i-k-e-r-i-n. Mary Karen. Mary Karen was at the counter buying chocolate treats for her nieces when a hooded man came into the loco store in Shropshire, england. Okay, was it Willy Wonka? And dramatic CCTV footage captured the encounter. Okay, but she had already noticed the suspicious man in the parking lot. As I got out of the car I noticed this person was all covered up and I thought you look like you're going to rob a store. The 42-year-old told the SWNS news agency, but then she reminded herself you can't think that about people. You can't pigeonhole people like that. Maybe he's just got a bike somewhere, he's been out riding, or whatever. That's fair. Mary entered the store and spent a couple of minutes shopping and was getting ready to pay the cashier when the man appeared. I heard the shopkeeper ask why did you put something against the door? And I heard him reply because I'm going to take all of your money.
David Wright: 6:41
Oh well he said it really cool, really calm, really calm. He stepped forward. I could see his pockets were full and I thought he had weapons. My eyes were glued to his pockets. When I saw his left hand still in his pocket, I took the chance. She grabbed the would-be thief's arm and delivered a couple of firm kicks to the shin, causing him to run out of the store. What we don't know, and what I'll say for the last, was that what's the headline? Then, 42 year old woman with black belt sends a would-be robber packing, wearing her new heels. There it is, there it is see why I didn't want to say I don't want. I didn't want to lead with that, because the lead is too good to lead with.
Matt Fox: 7:26
You've got to put it in the story. See, that was the proper choice. Absolutely yes. 42 year oldold, black belt with brand new heels oh man, she got her money's worth.
David Wright: 7:37
Mary, who lives in Staffordshire, received a commendation award from the police chief superintendent of West Marsha Police following her heroics on March 3rd. She described how she didn't think twice about jumping to the storekeeper's defense. We would later find out a knife and a firearm were involved. Keeper's defense we would later find out a knife and a firearm were involved. But whatever was left in the but whatever was in the left pocket for that moment was not coming out right. She said her john wayne style swagger on the cctv footage was due to the pain of breaking in some heels for a new job. I was wearing new heels at the same time and I was trying to break them in. I hadn't worn heels since lockdown so I needed some practice. Oh my gosh, it makes me laugh when I watch it now. Mari said that the intervention wasn't bravery. She credits it to self-belief after 20 years of martial arts training that has seen her represent England and the Republic of Ireland.
Matt Fox: 8:32
All right so she already had a vibe of this individual to begin with, and she went on the lighter side of her heart and said you know what? He's on his bike.
David Wright: 8:42
I'm not going to judge by its cover or whatever Right.
Matt Fox: 8:45
But she reacted to their response to why did you put something in front of the door? Her response was absolutely appropriate. However, something in front of the door? Her response was absolutely appropriate.
David Wright: 9:01
However, when it comes, to those types of situations. You don't know what you're dealing. Well, that's. In. Any time one of these stories comes up, it could end much worse than they did I get it. However, I guess you know something like that.
Matt Fox: 9:12
Your training kicks in and you, if you're a three degree black belt by any means. You know what, take charge and do what you feel you need to do, because you know how to defend yourself at that point.
David Wright: 9:23
Well, and this is a great statement, the quote from Marie. The time was right and I'm glad I was there. People have asked whether I was scared. No, I was not, because she's a three degree black belt.
Matt Fox: 9:35
See a photo. Sure, why not? Let me throw that to you oh, I'm not messing with this chick she's okay.
David Wright: 9:41
Yeah, another quote from her. I've trained with this type of event in mind and sparred in full contact sessions with people far bigger than me. It's a picture with her, with a like a staff yeah, like donatello, like staff or like morgan from the walking dead. Yes, yeah, oh, my god, let me, for those of you on facebook, live. I'll show you the picture of marie. It's my goodness. Yeah, you don't want to go messing with her, don't?
Matt Fox: 10:06
mess with her man. She, she walks quietly and walks with a big stick.
David Wright: 10:10
so to answer your as far as being dangerous to get involved, she said in my opinion, this is not stupidity or bravado, it's a reflection of my own self-belief. Yeah, she knew who she was doing. After the robber was caught and jailed for his involvement, chief Superintendent Ed Williams praised Maine's intervention as an inspiring act of bravery from an upstanding member of the public. Her quick thinking meant no one was harmed during this attempted robbery and no money or goods were stolen. See kudos to her for that. Absolutely. I mean. In a situation, you never know what you're going to do until you're in that situation, sure.
Matt Fox: 10:47
Fight or flight, but for her it's training yeah.
David Wright: 10:50
I mean, it just took over. If you're a black belt in karate and you know how to handle situations, it's probably. You just probably don't think about it.
Matt Fox: 10:57
Sure, it's instinct.
David Wright: 10:58
Mm, hmm, bam Good for her Great story. Thank you for that. Definitely winner of the week.
Announcer: 11:11
That's how winning is done.
David Wright: 11:13
Yes, it is.
Matt Fox: 11:19
So back to it. I want share something yes with you real quick. My niece just turned 18 this past week, uh-huh, and she is a black belt herself in in karate and really from friends, right, that's impressive karate.
Matt Fox: 11:32
so at my daughter's wedding my youngest daughter's wedding, and the end of 2022, my niece comes running onto the dance floor and does this front karate roll into the dance floor. That's how she made her entrance Right this past week. I sent her a message and I'm like quick memory do you remember when you entered the dance floor with that front karate roll and you made an entrance? Live your life in that regard and always have that mentality absolutely you know, for her 18th birthday she's going into the navy.
Matt Fox: 12:09
She's got a lot of things going for I'm very proud of her.
David Wright: 12:12
So no, that's fantastic.
Matt Fox: 12:14
So I understand the the why mary decided to do what she did, because it was instinct and that's what she was trained to. She's been trained to do is just take control of the situation.
David Wright: 12:24
It was just just the right place, right time and it just all worked. So, yeah, absolutely, thank you so I had to share that so we're talking about social media and mental health.
David Wright: 12:35
This is part two. Folks, if you haven't listened to part one, you can listen to it after this one or jump back. It's up to you. Whatever order you want to do it, you'll get all the information. So we talked about how social media is really what people choose to portray, not reality, and that can lead to a lot of mental health issues, especially when people start comparing and that really is kind of. The underlying issue is that when you start comparing yourself to what people portray, you're never going to meet that expectation Not for yourself and not for yourself.
David Wright: 13:04
Yeah, and again, I'm not criticizing people who post stuff on social media, my point being is that they only post what they want you to see and, like we talked last episode, it's like a movie trailer Looks great in the trailer, but if you watch the movie it might not be that good. So that's the big thing. And the one thing that we touched on. One of the symptoms that comes up is low self-esteem, especially with adolescents and young adults as far as comparing themselves, and I use my son as an example for one of the things. But to and I use my son as an example for one of the things but to add another example, like for him, he's still in school. A lot of his friends have already graduated school and are in their careers, but he's not on that track right now. But it's hard to say oh, I should feel happy about where I'm at when everybody else feels like they're ahead of you in life.
Matt Fox: 13:55
We have teenagers in the house right now. Yes, and they.
Matt Fox: 13:57
They both have phones and we are doing our best to quell their want or the ambition to get into social media, because there's so many more important things that they need to pay. They have to pay attention to, that they need to pay attention to and these you know facebook stories and threads and all the stuff that's out there. They, they share the funny things they think is funny with with us as the parents, which is fine, and if it's funny, great. But if it's not, we I try to talk to them. Okay, let's understand where this is coming from, but that's a tough conversation to have and you have to be strong enough to help them through that because you want to get through the low self-esteem.
David Wright: 14:39
Yes absolutely so. One of the other things that social media tends to cause in people is anxiety.
David Wright: 14:47
And anxiety really is really just, it's really intricately tied to social media. When this happens and we talk about the term FOMO, fear of missing out oh, f-o-m-o FOMO that is a big thing as far as trends and events that people might be posting or sharing that you're not a part of and, again, you feel like you're being left out, especially as a young person, teenager, adolescent, or even into young adulthood, even into adulthood. Sometimes you might feel like you're being left out, especially as a young person, teenager, adolescent, or even at a young adulthood, even into adulthood. Sometimes you might feel like you're missing out. Matt, I can't tell you how many clients I've had that say something to the effect and I'll paraphrase because it kind of covers a whole different area A lot of different areas.
David Wright: 15:29
Take your time. Yeah, my blah, blah blah, my some some. My good friend had a party and I wasn't invited, or they posted about having a celebration and they were hanging out with their friends and I wasn't there.
Matt Fox: 15:43
I just had an experience in that kind of genre over this past weekend. You know, this had been a planned thing and there was one person that they felt they should have invited, but they felt that it would bring the gathering down Right.
David Wright: 16:01
Yes.
Matt Fox: 16:01
And they weren't wrong and I understand the decision that they made. Part of me agrees with the decision, because I wanted the entire group to have a good time, sure, and at the end of the day they did. Okay. Good when you're giggling like schoolgirls at 4 am in the morning.
Announcer: 16:17
you know they had a good time, Right, right.
Matt Fox: 16:19
But still, it's that FOMO, yeah, fomo.
David Wright: 16:23
Feeling like you're missing out on something. And again, when people are on social media and they're seeing things happening and things that they're not a part of, it does make them feel left out. The other thing with the anxiety and I go back to something what's happening in the world. And I've told clients this. I've said listen, if, if, if you feel overwhelmed, you need to take a step back. You don't have to read every single thing that's posted or reported on. If it's important, you'll, you'll know about it. Sure, somebody will let you know or you will know about it. It does. It doesn't make sense to spend hours just in the minutia of all the details and and and theories and pontifications and it just leads to more anxiety.
Matt Fox: 17:26
So for those of you with the vernacular of an eighth grader, minutia.
David Wright: 17:33
Minutia means the intricacies right, yes, and then what was the other word that you?
Matt Fox: 17:41
just um. It's a good question, I have no idea. No, yeah, no, but we don't use big words on the show. But no, I do. The word minutiae is is been what in blazes are you talking about? The word minutiae has been used a lot more with the way of society today. Yeah, especially with your facebooks and your and your streaming services, because there are so many things that you can get involved with. That's the minutiae, that's the little things, that's the, that's the small writing on the wall yes, right, absolutely well.
David Wright: 18:11
and the other thing linked to that and these two things often go together is anxiety and then depression. Now depression comes again. You're getting bombarded with all of these what we consider negative news stories or whatever is going on, and sometimes these global events can just own focus of your own life. You lose your own self. Yes, absolutely. And these things, if you stay in there and just constantly stay in the negative, you're going to feel negative. That's just how it works. Any situation, whether it's social media, if you had a group of friends who you hung out with every day, and every day you felt like shit at some point you think I shouldn't hang out with these friends. That's the reality.
Matt Fox: 19:08
Right.
David Wright: 19:09
And a lot of people don't get past that because they think, well, I have to do this. That's the idealistic. It is. Yep, right, yep, absolutely. The other thing that comes with this and this gets into a whole nother category, but it can cause the anxiety and depression as well is online bullying, in that that always, typically I shouldn't say always typically takes place in a social media platform.
Matt Fox: 19:34
You just saw what happened last week with Millie Bobby Brown Uh-huh, because there were some journalists that were talking about her looks when she was at the SAG Awards and what have you and then she went right on her page and she's like that is not the way the world is Right, that was wrong, absolutely. And she called them out 100% Absolutely, which she should. And I'm looking forward to her new movie empire, the. Is it called empire state? I don't know for sure with uh chris pratt yeah, with chris pratt.
David Wright: 20:02
I know it's on netflix, yeah, but yeah I'm looking forward to that.
Matt Fox: 20:05
But she just came out and she just nailed she, she just spoke her mind. I'm like that was not the right thing to do. I am a person. If you have a problem with something, you come to me. Well, you don't.
David Wright: 20:17
That's how you should do it, but again, unfortunately that's not. That's idealistic and that's not how the world and a lot of people follow her.
Matt Fox: 20:28
A lot of young young ladies follow her, which is great because she's giving them an example of how to stand up for yourself.
David Wright: 20:38
Which is what she's being recognized for. Absolutely so, yeah, and again, with all of this negative, all of the stuff that kind of conflicts with your beliefs or makes you feel bad or makes you compare, it's going to make you feel bad, it's going to make you feel depressed because you're never going to meet the standard that's laid out for you. The other big thing that happens, sure, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, relationships. This is where that's there's a lot of honestly.
David Wright: 21:04
We could almost do a whole show on this, and we may do that. We. Yeah, I think we should. You think so, matt? I think so because, yes, that the effect of social media in relationships. We've just made an executive decision, with Matt in charge, that we're going to do a peruse over it.
Matt Fox: 21:24
Yes, because I think there's important stuff that we there there's a lot that happens on the social media with you know friends for a long time and then it's just that I there are, there are pros and there are cons, and the relationships you build when you're already in a relationship could destroy the your current relate. That's there's so much to dive into.
David Wright: 21:59
Yeah, and that's and I was just looking ahead here as as I was talking about that and yes, yeah, we definitely want to cover that. So, so here's what we're going to do.
Matt Fox: 22:09
This is a part. This isn't a part. We're not going to do a part three.
David Wright: 22:12
No, we're not going to do a part three. No, we're going to do a whole new, just an episode or two episodes on social media and relationships.
Matt Fox: 22:19
Okay, so for sure, thank you for that and I I'm very happy that you've made that decision with me. This was not a one-sided decision, um, I know I I think this is I'm very important uh, I have many leather-bound books and yes, you do and my apartment smells of rich mahogany. I'm very excited that you decided to stop where you are right now, yep, because social media and relationships, that's a totally different camp.
David Wright: 22:50
Well, and we're going to expand that a little bit we're going to talk about social media and even even devices, okay, relationships, okay, it all kind of fits in together Devices, what Phones, laptops.
Announcer: 23:04
Oh, those types of devices.
Matt Fox: 23:05
Oh, okay, okay, Just making sure I understood you there. What in blazes are you talking about?
David Wright: 23:11
That's what I'm talking about.
Announcer: 23:13
I said that like this in the background. What the fuck is it with you?
David Wright: 23:19
Duh yeah devices.
Matt Fox: 23:20
Devices.
Announcer: 23:21
Yeah, exactly, I just want to clear the air? Well, that's clear.
David Wright: 23:23
It's pretty clear, all right, fair enough. What happened?
Announcer: 23:27
I don't know it's crazy.
David Wright: 23:29
It's crazy, oh man. So here's what we're going to do. Folks, come with me for next episode, where we're going to focus on social media and relationships, but I'm also going to give you tips on what to do if you feel like social media to you is overwhelming, or you feel anxious, depressed, low self-esteem whatever those feelings are for you, and I'm going to give you some steps to be able to address that. Those feelings are for you, okay, and I'm going to give you some steps to be able to address that. So join us for next episode.
David Wright: 24:05
We're bringing you to talking about social media and relationships specifically, and we're going to cover two episodes with that. Okay, probably All right, game on Before we go today. Oh, who is it? Somebody needs a home Sarge, sarge. Sarge was born in december 2024, so he's only a couple months old. He's three months old yep, german shepherd male. He'll be about 80 to 100 pounds. Okay, dog friendly, yes, cat friendly unknown. Kid friendly yes, over eight german shepherd activity level is medium high. Yep, probably cat friendly. Experienced shepherd handler is highly recommended.
Matt Fox: 24:38
Oh, okay, on this one. Okay, at three months old they already know that, apparently.
David Wright: 24:43
Look at that Geez.
Matt Fox: 24:45
Look at the coloring on him.
David Wright: 24:46
I know, look at the ears, even the ears. That's typical for German shepherds yeah, it is, that's very typical.
Matt Fox: 24:51
Yes, absolutely, absolutely puppies.
David Wright: 24:53
his paws are huge I know, yeah, he's gonna be a big dog, he's gonna be a big puppy a bit.
Matt Fox: 24:58
He's gonna be a lovable puppy. Oh, absolutely so when it comes to shepherds, when it comes to golden retrievers, those bigger breeds if you will. Yes, they need a little more tlc, tender loving care right, you got to make sure that they're, that all dogs are taken care of, but these guys, they need to be out and about. Yes, they absolutely need to be out and about yes. They need to be active and they say cat-friendly, unknown. The sooner you introduce felines into their realm, the more comfortable they will be.
David Wright: 25:26
Absolutely. They'll learn their place. Yep, so Sarge needs a home. Detroitdogrescuecom. Slash, adopt and take Sarge home tomorrow. He's ready. He wants a home. Come on, he wants to cuddle with you. Come on, there's there it is. Look at that face. Can't say no to that. Yeah, you can, but I won't. All righty folks, that is our show for today. Join us next week Monday evening, 8 to 9 pm Eastern, 9 pm Eastern Standard Time on Facebook Live on the Motor City Hypnotist Facebook page. In the meantime, change your thinking, change your life. Laugh hard, run fast, be kind. We'll see you next time, thank you.