Addiction to technology isn’t just something parents complain about. It’s a real issue.
Research conducted in the last ten years has revealed that reliance on technology has a similar impact on the brain as substance addiction.
In a country where more than 90 percent of teenagers use social media and play video games, this is alarming news.
Social media and video games are two of the most addictive forms of technology.
Statistics show that 50 percent of teens feel that they are addicted to their smartphones, and not coincidentally, 57 percent of teen girls report being sad all the time.
Balancing digital lives for healthier families.
Enhancing family well-being through tech management.
Addiction to technology is also called Internet Addiction Disorder, Compulsive Internet Use, Problematic Internet Use, and iDisorder.
While it isn’t recognized as a disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, it’s being considered. 38 percent of people in the United States and Europe may suffer from tech dependence.
Technology use, particularly games and social media, specifically increases the release of endorphins and dopamine. This further intensifies the desire for another rush.
Too much stimulation all the time puts our body into “fight or flight” mode. This messes up our body’s systems and hormones, which can affect mood and mental health problems.
This can look a lot like ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Trauma, and Bipolar Disorder.
In 2018, the World Health Organization officially recognized gaming disorders as a mental health issue. The impact of technology on mental well-being extends beyond addiction, also encompassing teenage depression and anxiety.
This issue has significantly escalated for families and young people in light of the pandemic. Research also shows that teens with Internet addiction are also prone to substance use disorders and eating disorders.
In other words, the propensity for addiction can encompass various forms of addictive behaviors and substances, including technology addiction. We can help create a plan to enhance your or your child’s mental well-being, both now and in the future, by addressing this matter.
Individuals addicted to technology feel severe anxiety when away from devices, games, and social media.
Thus, their emotional symptoms mirror those seen in substance use disorders and drug withdrawal. Some individuals have a compulsion but do not yet meet the criteria fully. We can work to restore the balance by coming up with a comprehensive plan that’ll be doable and achievable.
Research has clearly shown a link between technology and mental health. Teens who use social media and play video games are more anxious and depressed.
However, experts aren’t certain whether teen depression comes from too much tech time, or if overuse of tech is a symptom of depression. Either way, it’s a cycle that creates technology addiction.
We have advanced certifications and training to work with Tech Addiction.
We work with families to shift the dynamic and address the underlying issues, reattach with family and community.
In Nevada, you can receive convenient and confidential therapy from the comfort of your home, office, or anywhere else — without the hassle of driving. Our video sessions take place on a HIPAA-secure and user-friendly platform.
