Why “Doomscrolling” Is Bad For Your Brain: Scientists have been looking into “doomscrolling” and to no one’s surprise, it’s bad for you. Among the issues with the practice, researchers found a connection between doomscrolling and feelings of existential anxiety, despair, distrust, and suspicion of others. It can also cause second hand trauma. Another side effect is that doomscrollers feel like they’re alone. Psychologist Dr. Susan Albers notes “Too much time on any media or social media sites, whether the news is bad or not, has been linked with feelings of depression.”