Along with advances in digital technology, an increasing number of people are suffering from Digital Addiction Disorder (DAD) or the inability to stop looking at smart phones or other devices.
Manfred Kets De Vries, Distinguished Clinical Professor of Leadership Development & Organisational Change at INSEAD, illustrates the disorder with the example of a participant at one of his workshops.
This person kept on excusing himself regularly from the room. Initially, De Vries thought that the person had a weak bladder or upset stomach. It was only later that the professor discovered that such behaviour was because the person felt compelled to check up on the messages and send responses.
Writing in the INSEAD Knowledge blog, De Vries said since the workshop was a reflective one, he had requested that electronic equipment was not to be used in class.
Later, on talking to him, the professor found that he spent “an extraordinary amount of time” social networking, online gaming and visiting online bidding sites.
He was also addicted to watching YouTube video clips. Asked why he spent so much time on the internet, the person said “being connected” had a relaxing effect on him.
However, like many DAD sufferers, Phil’s excessive computer use had become uncontrollable and seriously interfered with his daily life.
Yet to be Recognised as Mental Disorder
The symptoms of DAD may resemble impulse-control disorders or even obsessive-compulsive disorders. Also there is no agreement among researchers whether DAD is a disorder in its own right or a symptom of other underlying conditions. However, as in the case of any other addiction, this disorder can completely take over the addict’s life.
Though not yet officially recognised as a mental disorder, it is becoming a significant health threat. The time has come to recognise it as a separate and distinct behavioural addiction.
Surveys in the U.S. and Europe have noted alarming prevalence rates, ranging between 1.5% and 8.2% of the general population.
The estimates are even higher in Asia where 30 % or more of the population are experiencing problematic internet use.
However, using the internet intensively does not mean that you are an addict. It only becomes a real disorder when it begins to seriously interfere with healthy functioning in your daily life.
As is the case with all addictions, they influence the brain – both in the connections between the cells and in the brain areas that control attention, executive control and emotional processing.
It triggers the release of dopamine, providing a temporary “high” on which addicts become dependent. Levels of dopamine and serotonin (another neural transmitter that helps to regulate mood) vary from person to person.
Who Becomes an Addict
Stressed out people or those suffering from from anxiety and depression could develop such addictions along with alcoholism, drugs, sex or gambling.
Those with relationship issues may use digital “connections” to boost their spirits and to escape from their problems.
The time devoted to cyber-relationships comes at an expense of time spent with real people in their lives. In connecting with a virtual fantasy world, they have replaced the complexities and richness of real-life human connections.
Addiction Fallout
Addicts may become restless, moody, anxious, depressed or irritable if blocked from their digital activities. They may suffer from physical symptoms such as upset stomach, headaches, eating disorders, backaches, poor personal hygiene, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, neck pain, dry eyes and other vision problems along with sleeping disturbances.
Finding a Cure
As in the case of eating disorders, the addicts cannot hope to quit the habit all of a sudden. Since internet has become a part of life, they have to learn a balanced approach.
In some cases, the use of anti-depressants is recommended. From a psychological point of view, cognitive-behavioural forms of therapy are frequently the treatments of choice.
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DAD addicts can learn to replace damaging thought and behaviour patterns that trouble them with healthier, more productive ones. In addition, mindfulness-based stress reduction training and group psychotherapy have proven to be helpful.
Others suggest a multimodal treatment approach, implementing several different types of treatment (pharmacology, individual and group psychotherapy and family counselling) simultaneously.
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