Psychologist Arun Mansukhani said that social media and the pursuit of rapid dopamine are driving a surge in mental exhaustion and self-imposed pressure [1].
This trend highlights a growing crisis in mental health where digital stimulation intersects with an internalized need for constant productivity. As users compare their lives to curated online personas, the resulting psychological strain manifests as chronic fatigue.
Mansukhani, a specialist in mental health and technology addiction, said these dynamics during an appearance on the program "Zapeando" aired by La Sexta [1]. He said that the modern digital environment encourages a cycle of high expectations and immediate gratification that the human brain is not equipped to sustain indefinitely.
According to Mansukhani, the pressure to perform and the constant search for quick rewards create a specific type of burnout [1]. "La autoexigencia produce una sensación de agotamiento que se está disparando por las redes sociales y otras actividades que generan dopamina rápida," Mansukhani said [1].
This phenomenon contributes to what some describe as a "society of fatigue," where being permanently occupied has become the social norm [2]. The constant connectivity of smartphones ensures that the pressure to remain productive and socially relevant never ceases, creating a state of perpetual alertness that drains mental reserves.
Mansukhani said that this exhaustion is not merely physical but is deeply tied to the cognitive load of managing a digital identity [1]. By prioritizing rapid dopamine hits over long-term stability, individuals may experience a diminished capacity for deep focus and emotional regulation [1].
“"La autoexigencia produce una sensación de agotamiento que se está disparando por las redes sociales..."”
The intersection of behavioral psychology and social media design creates a feedback loop that rewards short-term stimulation while eroding long-term mental resilience. When societal norms shift to equate constant busyness with success, the resulting 'society of fatigue' suggests that mental exhaustion is becoming a systemic issue rather than an individual failing.
