Rise of anxiety linked to digital apps and social‑media self‑diagnosis in Spain and Colombia

Mobile applications that employ cognitive‑psychology techniques are expanding in Spain, offering tools such as digital‑pause reminders, breathing exercises, sleep‑hygiene features and guided meditations to help users manage daily anxiety and improve emotional regulation. These apps aim to counteract the heightened stress caused by constant social‑media exposure, comparison pressures and continuous digital stimulation.

In Colombia, mental‑health experts warn that the same online platforms are fostering a wave of self‑diagnosis, where users apply simplified quizzes and anecdotal videos to label themselves with conditions such as anxiety, depression or ADHD. Dr. Camila Parra Ortiz of the Universidad Internacional de Valencia cautions that such practices can generate guilt, fear and heightened anxiety, emphasizing that professional evaluation remains essential. Both developments reflect a broader cultural shift toward greater openness about mental health, while also highlighting the need for critical consumption of digital health information.