A new analysis of 44 studies has linked doomscrolling with higher levels of anxiety and psychological distress. Published in Frontiers in Psychology, the research associated excessive consumption of negative online content with poorer mental health, but did not establish cause and effect.

For some people, information overload may also contribute to what board certified neurologist Dr. Steven Resnick calls “helicopter brain.” The term describes a nervous system that remains on high alert, resembling a helicopter parent who constantly watches for possible harm.

Resnick is chief of the Division of Neurology and medical director of the Comprehensive Stroke Center at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Florida. He told Fox News Digital that the nervous system is meant to guard against danger, but overstimulation and uncertainty can keep that protective machinery activated.

“The brain is scanning for danger,” Resnick said. “When it scans for danger, then you have that autonomic nervous system pushing the accelerator.”

Resnick, who also hosts “The Healthy Mind” podcast, said patients can experience headaches, gastrointestinal issues, fatigue, sleep problems, tingling and dizziness. Some undergo evaluations by several specialists before a potential explanation for their symptoms is identified.

“They end up going to see a neurologist, who sends them to the gastroenterologist, who sends them to the cardiologist, then the rheumatologist,” he said. Resnick stressed that what these patients feel is authentic and can reflect an activated nervous system.

Although a constant flood of information can contribute to this heightened state, Resnick said similar patterns can develop through everyday stressors and deeply ingrained habits. He outlined five strategies aimed at recognizing those patterns, calming the nervous system and building healthier responses to stress.

The first step is listening. When meeting patients, Resnick tries to understand what they are feeling, including fear, worry and concern, rather than immediately attempting to solve the problem.

Feeling heard, secure, safe and connected can begin to calm the nervous system, he said. “The solution can be done later,” Resnick said. “And we have to stop using the word ‘fixing,’ because a lot of things cannot be fixed — but over time, you can start feeling better.”

The next strategy involves recognizing recurring patterns in thoughts, behaviors and reactions. “Mindfulness is not just about meditation; it's about noticing,” Resnick said.

A recurring pattern might involve repeated conflict with a coworker, racing thoughts at night or turning to food or cigarettes during stressful periods. When these behaviors continue, people can begin functioning on autopilot because the brain repeatedly returns to what feels familiar, safe and known.

Resnick then advises patients to identify the specific cue that sets a pattern in motion. The trigger may operate below conscious awareness and could involve a boss’ face, a telephone, furniture in a room, a smell or a feeling.

That cue can prompt an almost automatic response, including procrastinating, eating, reaching for a drink or lashing out. If the behavior creates pleasure or helps a person avoid discomfort, the brain may become more inclined to repeat it.

Worry itself can also become habitual. When a feared result fails to occur, Resnick said the brain may interpret the worrying as protective, making the pattern more likely to return.

Rather than describing anxiety or overthinking as something that occurs constantly, Resnick encourages patients to identify one episode and examine what triggered it. They can then consider the behavior that followed and any reward that may have reinforced it.

The next step is replacing the unwanted response with a healthier behavior that offers a noticeable reward. “Give your new habit a reward you can feel,” Resnick advised.

The reward can be modest, such as the sense of accomplishment or improved mood that follows an early morning workout. A healthy shake or simply checking an item off on paper can also provide immediate positive reinforcement.

Finally, Resnick recommends that people “Float instead of fight” when anxiety or panic appears. People may fear not only a particular situation, but also the physical sensations of anxiety they expect it to produce.

A person with claustrophobia, for example, may dread an MRI because of the feelings that could arise inside the machine. “Don’t fight it,” Resnick advised. “You want to allow it. You want to feel it.”

Avoidance can reinforce the brain’s perception that a situation is threatening, while safely experiencing it can form a different association, Resnick said. The goal is to teach the brain that the experience is safe through the body, brain and mind.

These strategies may help people manage stress and anxiety, but recognizing the patterns behind symptoms remains essential, according to Resnick. Anyone experiencing persistent or unexplained physical symptoms should seek a medical evaluation to rule out underlying health conditions.

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If you believe someone is in immediate danger, call emergency services right away. Even a small step, like reaching out to a trusted friend, family member, or professional, can help create a path forward.