Are You Suffering From These 4 Tech Afflictions ?

Quick: How many devices do you have on-hand at this very moment? How often have you checked your social media accounts in the last hour? When was the last time you played a video game?
The answers to these questions may seem inconsequential, but tech addiction is real, and it can have dreadful consequences.

People addicted to the Internet may experience chemical changes in their brains similar to those of alcoholics and other drug addicts. And that’s just the Internet — think about all the other aspects of technology we succumb to every day. Check out the following ailments that you should avoid at all costs.

1. Phantom Vibration Syndrome
Do you ever reach for your cellphone because you feel it vibrating, only to discover that it hadn’t buzzed at all? This could be what many call “phantom vibration syndrome,” the sufferers of which feel vibrations even when their devices are in an entirely different room.

The name is most likely based on phantom limb syndrome, a condition in which someone who has lost a limb experiences sensory hallucinations that it is still attached to the body and functioning. Similarly, those with phantom vibration syndrome feel their phones as extensions of themselves. Those who say they heavily use mobile devices usually experience phantom vibrations. It’s common, and you’re able to recover from it.

2. Internet Addiction Disorder
Internet addiction disorder (IAD) refers to compulsory use of the Internet, such that it interferes with daily life. Studies show that addiction to the Internet can cause the same type of social problems as other established addictions, such as gambling. It’s important to note, however, that it is not yet recognized as a disorder in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

3. Social Media Addiction
Considered a subdivision of Internet addiction, social media addiction is probably one of the more common tech addictions of late. According to a study, checking social networking sites for updates is a much harder habit to break than alcohol or tobacco.

4. Video Game Addiction

Video game addiction, like IAD and other addictions, is characterized by the interference of gaming with other aspects of life. Although it is not yet considered an official addiction by the American Medical Association, video game overuse has led to terrible consequences.

How much is too much tech? It all depends. If you or your kids are obsessive or over indulgence over the above, do seek expert help before it ruins your life or your children. Or you can read this self help book,  Cyber Junkie: Escape the Gaming and Internet Trap  or  Video Games & Your Kids: How Parents Stay in Control


Ping your blog Ping Blog Hypersmash.com