How Many Selfies Is Too Many? Understanding “Selfitis” and Your Mental Health

Why taking selfies feels good—and when it might be a sign of something deeper.

Have you ever snapped a selfie to capture a moment—maybe at a concert, out with friends, or just hanging out at home? You’re not alone. The word “selfie” made it into the Oxford English Dictionary in 2013, showing how popular and normal it’s become (Oxford Univ. Press, 2013).

Taking selfies can be fun, creative, and a great way to express yourself. But what happens when it goes too far?

That’s where the term “selfitis” comes in. Some researchers are studying whether taking lots of selfies—especially if it’s driven by social pressure or low self-esteem—might be a mental health concern. Let’s take a look at what “selfitis” means, what science says about it, and how you can keep your selfie habit healthy.

🧠 What Is “Selfitis”?

You may have seen news stories calling selfitis a real mental health condition. Back in 2014, there was a viral hoax that said the American Psychiatric Association had labeled it a disorder. That wasn’t true—but it did spark real research.

Two researchers, Dr. Janarthanan Balakrishnan and Dr. Mark D. Griffiths, decided to study selfie-taking behavior more closely. They defined selfitis as an “obsessive taking of selfies” and wanted to know if people really could develop unhealthy habits around it.

🧑‍🏫 Expert Opinion – Dr. Mark D. Griffiths, Psychologist and Researcher
“Although the original story was a hoax, we felt the topic warranted academic investigation due to the growing popularity of selfies and their links with self-image and behavior.”
— Griffiths, as quoted in The Independent (2017)

📊 The Selfitis Behavior Scale (SBS)

To better understand why people take selfies—and when it might be a problem—the researchers created a tool called the Selfitis Behavior Scale. They tested over 600 Indian university students, mostly around age 20, to find patterns.

Here’s what they discovered: people take selfies for 6 main reasons:

The researchers grouped people into 3 levels based on their selfie-taking habits:

• Borderline Selfitis: 1–4 selfies a day
• Acute Selfitis: 5–8 selfies a day
• Chronic Selfitis: More than 8 selfies a day, plus strong urges to post and edit them

🧑‍⚕️ Expert Opinion – Dr. Balakrishnan, Researcher on Selfitis
“Typically, those with the condition suffer from a lack of self-confidence and are seeking to ‘fit in’ with those around them.”
— Interview with New York Post (2017)

📈 What the Numbers Say

Among the 400 students tested in the second part of the study:

• 34% had borderline selfitis
• 40.5% had acute selfitis
• 25.5% had chronic selfitis

Men had slightly higher rates than women (57.5% vs. 42.5%), and younger people were more likely to show signs of selfitis. More than half of those aged 16–20 showed some degree of it, but the rates dropped sharply among people over 25.

Also interesting: 34% of selfie-takers never posted their selfies online. That means even the act of taking selfies—without sharing them—can still be part of the behavior pattern.

🚨 When Is It a Problem?

Taking selfies isn’t bad in itself. It can be a creative, positive way to connect. But here are a few red flags to watch for:

• 📷 You take more than 8 selfies a day and feel upset if you can’t
• 🖼️ You spend lots of time editing or retaking selfies to look “perfect”
• 💬 You feel stressed or anxious if your selfie doesn’t get enough likes
• 😞 You take selfies to boost a bad mood or low confidence
• 🙍 You feel like you’re not part of your group unless you post selfies

If any of these sound familiar, it may help to pause and think about why you’re taking selfies and how they make you feel.

💡 Healthy Selfie Habits: 5 Easy Tips

Here are some ways to keep your selfie habit fun and in check:

1. Set a limit. Try setting a daily cap (like 3–5 selfies) and see how it feels.
2. Post with purpose. Instead of posting for likes, post to share a real moment or memory.
3. Check your feelings. Before snapping, ask: “Am I doing this for me—or for attention?”
4. Try a selfie-free day. Give your brain and eyes a break from the front-facing camera.
5. Build confidence in other ways. Try journaling, exercise, hobbies, or talking with a friend.

🧠 Expert Tip – Dr. Daria Kuss, Cyberpsychologist
“The key is being aware of your motivation. If you’re taking selfies to connect or remember a moment, that’s different than if you’re seeking validation or comparing yourself to others.”
— Interview with BBC Future (2019)

🧭 Final Thought

We all want to feel seen, valued, and connected—and selfies can help with that. But if you find yourself feeling worse instead of better, it might be time to check in with yourself.

You don’t need to give up selfies altogether. Just stay aware of your reasons, set healthy limits, and focus on feeling good offline as much as online. And if you’re struggling with self-esteem or anxiety, don’t hesitate to reach out to a therapist or counselor for support.

Other Resources:

• http://psychcentral.com/blog/liberation/2017/11/the-brutal-truth-about-selfies-narcissism-and-low-self-esteem
• https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/love-digitally/201804/are-you-taking-too-many-selfies
• Midgley, C., Thai, S., Lockwood, P., Kovacheff, C., & Page-Gould, E. (2021). When Every Day Is a High School Reunion: Social Media Comparisons and Self-Esteem. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 121(2), 285–307. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000336

📚 References

1. Balakrishnan, J., & Griffiths, M. D. (2018). An exploratory study of “selfitis” and the development of the Selfitis Behavior Scale. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 16(4), 722–736. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-017-9844-x
2. Oxford University Press. (2013). Selfie. In Oxford English Dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.oed.com
3. Kuss, D. (2019). Why selfies can make us feel worse. BBC Future. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190115
4. The Independent. (2017). Selfitis: The obsessive selfie-taking condition that might be real. Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk