Selfie is very popular across ages especially among youth in the modern world of social media. Selfie is a “photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smartphone or webcam and with an intent mostly of sharing it via Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and other social media sites”. Almost everyone does post their selfies on social media and it is very hard to find someone who never posted his or her Selfie on social media. 

It is well known fact that people who are isolated from society or family express themselves through social media and taking a Selfie and posting it results in pleasure/ relieving anxiety. As per the psychological perspective, the taking of selfies gives a person his own perception of individuality and self-importance. Selfies are a form of self-expression which gives a person a sense of self-importance. 

It is absolutely fine to take pictures and post them on social media and it is not harmful but you may wonder why taking selfies and posting them became harmful. The reason for this is when it endangers someone’s life. There are many unfortunate instances when Selfie took lives of teenagers. Out of 127 selfie-deaths around the world from March 2014 to September 2016, a whopping 76 deaths while taking selfies were reported in India, according to ‘Me, Myself and my Killfie: Characterizing and Preventing Selfie Deaths’ a collaborative study by researchers from Carnegie Mellon University and Indraprastha Institute of Information Delhi. 

It has many other effects on mental health as well since many people spend more time on social media, are more likely to struggle with feelings of inadequacy, have lower self-esteem, and general feelings of sadness when people take abundance of photos daily and post them. When selfies becomes obsession it is known as Selfitisor Selfie obsession disorder.  “Selfitis” is a term coined to describe the cultural habit of taking an overabundance of photos of oneself and posting them on. There are different types of Selfitis such as: 

• Acute selfitis: Taking photos by oneself at least three times a day and posting those on social media.

• Chronic selfitis: Taking photos by oneself more than six times a day and posting those on social media. 

Positive aspects of Selfie:

? It enhance mood initially and helps to appreciate the environment better.

? It is a better way of keep good and happy memories.

? It gives a feeling of high social status and importance.

? It can create a healthy competition among social circle.

? Gaining attention and being noticed and expecting comments on social media.

? Picture taking teaches kids to be creative, to exercise their skills as a photographer.

How does Selfitis affect mental health?

• Initially one feel socially connected with people but at last It has been seen that it can lead to loneliness.

• It can affect your self esteem. 

• People became obsessed with and dependent on others opinions.

• Person can become highly attention seeking.

• It can take most of your time and can create strained relations with family and friends.

• It can also lead to addiction tendencies.

• It can lead to lack of confidence.

• It can lead to enormous stress.

• If person gets negative comments it can lead to severe anxiety or even depression.

• It can lead to eating disorders to look thin and beautiful.

• It seems growing use of social media sites is making us more concerned with our appearance.People are even getting surgery just to have the perfect selfie. 

• It can prove dangerous for one’s life if person takes selfies from edge of cliff, top of buildings, bridges, while doing stunts on bikes etc. and may lead to injury or death.

How do you get rid of selfitis?

? Judicial use of smartphone.

? Reduce the frequency of logins to social media.

? Give yourself time. 

? Believe in yourself

? Learn relaxation techniques.

? Meditate.

? Read a good book or novel.

? Opt for outdoor games 

? Exercise.

? In more severe cases when the above measures do not yield the desired result it is necessary to seek specialist help.

Over the last few decades we have seen rise in selfishness in the form of superficiality of relationships/ Friendship, self-oriented people, self-degradation, apathy, self-destruction and of course selfie addiction, but in this era of stressful life, there is need to focus on strengthening old and establishing new relationships/friendship in real world rather than accepting virtual relationships and friendship as its substitute.