Social media can be a convenient way to keep up with friends, family and news events - or it can be a festering evil that will drive you to a psychiatric ward.

More Americans than ever are saying that social media, especially with its contentious political content of late, is driving them insane.

According to a new survey by the American Psychological Association, 43 percent of Americans say they are checking their e-mails, texts, or social media accounts constantly.

According to a new survey by the APA, 43 percent of Americans say they are 'constant checkers'

And it's the 'constant checkers' who see the highest stress levels, says the survey. On a 10-point scale, frequent checkers reported an average stress level of 5.3. For the rest of Americans, the average level is a 4.4.

And while cat videos and baby videos might be plentiful on social media, unsurprisingly it is the political climate that is causing stress.

Of the 'constant checkers,' 42 percent blamed political discussions as being the source of their angst.

The highest levels of stress were reserved for 'constant checkers' who couldn't pry themselves away from work texts and emails during off work days. Those workaholics had average stress levels of 6.0. (The study did not define what a 'constant checker' is in terms of amount of times social media is checked.)

Nooooo! More Americans than ever say that social media - and specially the political climate - is stressing them

Social media is more prevalent than ever. A whopping 90 of those in the 18-29 age range use social media, up from merely 12 percent in 2005.

The majority of Americans of any age are on social media: 65 percent, up from seven percent in 2005.

Thirty-five percent of 'constant checkers' say they are even prone to spending less time with friends and family than they'd like because of their need to be plugged in.

The good news is that Americans seem to be aware of their plight. Sixty-five percent of respondents said 'unplugging' or taking a 'digital detox' is important.

Of those who 'constantly' check social media, 43 percent say their angst is due to political discussions in the wake of the election

The bad news is only 28 percent of respondents actually do that. Frequent Facebook user Victoria Nye, who says she checks her feed at least a dozen times a day, can relate. She says her 'very stressed' feelings have 'everything' to do with the election and that though she keeps trying to take a break, 'I keep getting sucked back in!'

She notes that she did take a short break after the election but then 'I felt like I would miss us getting nuked if I didn't stay connected.'

Elizabeth Waite, who checks her accounts about 10 times a day, says she too is feeling the burn from social media combined with political content.

'I'm stressed, and sorely miss the days when my posts were primarily about flowers and nature, and life lessons. Now, I'm just trying to stay informed and help others spread the word,' she says.