Mental Health: Social Media, Beauty Politics and Power Dynamics feat: Dr. Joy Harden Bradford

In this episode of Desire Dialogues with Dr. Donna, we dive into the complicated intersection of social media, beauty standards, and mental health. Joining Dr. Donna is Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, who will discuss how constant exposure to curated lives and idealized beauty standards on social media impacts our self-worth and mental well-being.Dr. Donna and Dr. Joy explore the psychological strain caused by the pressure to conform to social media’s beauty politics, and how these unrealistic portrayals of perfection can lead to stress, anxiety, and feelings of inadequacy. They also discuss the rise of parasocial relationships with online influencers and how these one-sided connections influence our expectations of real-world relationships.The conversation will also highlight how mental health is framed on social media, with a focus on the oversimplification of issues like narcissism and gaslighting, and the dangers of self-diagnosing based on trends. Dr. Donna provides insight into how individuals can set boundaries, protect their peace, and reclaim their sense of self in the digital age.Key Topics: • The psychological impact of social media’s curated realities. • Beauty politics, self-esteem, and mental health in the digital age. • Parasocial relationships and their effect on real-life connections. • The oversimplification of mental health issues online and the risks of self-diagnosis. • Practical advice on managing social media exposure and cultivating mental health in the digital age.Follow Dr. Donna on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.donnaoriowoTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.donnaoriowo