As we roll through 2019 into a new decade, many questions are being posed about the negative effects of technology. This appears to correlate with the rising percentage of mental disorders diagnosed within diverse backgrounds and age ranges. Foremost, is anxiety disorders, which can quickly lead to depressive states, an issue that affects more than 16 million people alone in the U.S. As these issues continue to grow, experts are looking at technology for causality. While technology can make day to day life easier in circumstances, it is proving to cause notable mental health issues for many.
Avoiding Human Interactions
Human interaction has propelled us as a species, our ability to communicate and connect are paramount to modern life. Yet, technology and social media, in particular, have created a digital veil of interaction. While everyone is chasing their next popular post, the real people in your life take a back seat. Between seeking validation from assumed peers and creating an online persona, one can easily sink into a state of depression. Furthermore, this leads to placing yourself in real-life situations less often to find confidence within the actual people around you.
Disconnectivity Anxiety
Living in a world that is constantly connected can be an effective, yet stressful environment. Statistics in America are showing that people check their phones nearly 80 times per day. When the digital lights go out it can cause frustration within society. Meanwhile, other research is showing that spending time away from technology is increasingly beneficial. In the end, there is a balance that can be met between connection and disconnection to maintain mental health in the modern world.
Face-to-Face Communication
Since the advent of text messaging followed by technology such as comments on posts and pictures, face-to-face interactions are becoming less common. While it is easier to send quick messages through these channels, in-depth personal conversations are lagging. Have you ever been to dinner with a group and everyone is on their phone?… So have I, this a frustrating and detrimental side of technology addiction.
Unfair Comparisons
Looking at a seemingly perfect Instagram life can be frustrating. Everyone is putting their best face out there, giving a false sense of perfection. No one is perfect, but they can appear to be. Many people who consume this digital media end up becoming frustrated at the “glorious” lives of others, creating an unhealthy mental state of anxiety and depression. Depression diagnoses have increased in teens nearly 37 percent in the last decade. Some speculate this is due to an increase in technology consumption. While being connected is a necessity in the hour of today, we are starting to see the mental health effects these devices have.
Treatment Options for Tech Anxiety
Initial moves to aid in technology recovery involve limiting usage time, less engagement within social media platforms or a complete walk away from the smartphone world. If this isn’t a possibility due to personal or work life there are still coping mechanisms. Ketamine has been shown to reduce anxiety related to a wide range of triggers. If the busy world of technology has been finding you frustrated, visit Baltimoreketamine.com to schedule a consult and see if we can help.
