Addiction to new technologies: symptoms, causes and treatment

In today's age, technological advances come in a relatively short period of time, and For many people this represents the need to constantly update themselves regarding these advances.

In this article we will see what are the main characteristics of addiction to new technologies, we will talk about how this type of need can arise in people, and the most effective forms of treatment in these cases.

• Related article: "Nomophobia: The Growing Mobile Phone Addiction"

What is addiction to new technologies?

Addiction to new technologies is a strong need of the subject to keep interacting with electronic devices associated with interconnected digital platforms, which allow you to access the Internet either through smartphone apps or computer programs.

In general, in addition to needing to be connected to the web, the subject needs devices that meet certain parameters specific, so that they can provide you with a more complete experience in terms of the contents to which you could to access.

The main digital elements that can be the basis of an addiction to new technologies are two:

the use of video games (especially those with online multiplayer), on the one hand, and the use of social networks, for the other.

Although these two electronic elements in themselves do not harm mental health, depending on the way in which they interact with them, alterations such as addiction to new technologies can arise. In other words, these kinds of disorders do not reside in the use of video games or social networks, but in certain ways of getting used to using them (and in certain personal predispositions).

Main symptoms of this addictive behavior

There is a whole range of addictions, each with its own characteristics and symptoms. All represent an irrational need of the individual to have access to something or activity. There will be differences depending on the trigger for the addictive behavior of the subject.

In the case of addiction to new technologies, the symptoms will be the following.

1. Compulsive need for information

Subjects who present this type of addiction feel a strong need to be informed constantly, especially with regard to topics related to what is interesting in your social circle.

2. Need for cutting-edge technological devices

As the addiction to new technologies becomes more intense, it is not enough for the subject to satisfy their need for information through any device, but rather this you will need one who brings you the latest theological advances to feel like it meets your need.

3. Tendency to isolation

People who have become addicted to new technologies become subjects relatively removed from physical social contact. This means that they can socialize quietly through their electronic devices, thanks to their profiles on social networks, but the personal coexistence is a nuisance, or a fueste stress.

4. Dependence on technology

These subjects focus all their attention and resources on staying up-to-date with technological advances, in all aspects. Situation it represents a limitation regarding dealing with situations outside the context of screens.

For example, a technology addict can be very efficient when carrying out activities through a intelligent device, but if it is necessary to do something in another context the subject will be unable to do it with the same effectiveness. In the most intense cases of this addiction, you may even be unable to perform this task without the help of technology.

5. Trouble concentrating

People who experience these problems they tend to be easily distracted thinking about what could be happening in those digital worlds that would like to be connected at that moment. That makes it difficult for them to focus on tasks that do not have to do with this form of leisure. For this reason, many times they do not attend when talking to others, they often postpone their responsibilities, etc.

6. Irritability

In turn, spending many hours without using these electronic devices makes these people sulk and begin to experience anxiety.

Causes

Generally speaking, addictions are the product of a distortion in the subject's reward system, which can lead to failure at an organic level.

When we begin to practice an activity compulsively, or we adopt new habits that generate us satisfaction, our brain secretes a neurotransmitter known as serotonin (the hormone of happiness). The more time we spend doing this activity without allocating our time to other activities, the amounts of serotonin secreted by our brain are greater, thus contributing to our becoming more and more dependent.

Treatments

There are basically two ways to treat the anxiety that arises when you stop using these devices so much. First you will find psychotherapy; which consists of sessions with a psychology professional where the emphasis will be on the emotional part of the subject and on the psychic causes that can trigger the anxious behavior in the person.

Throughout the psychotherapy process, you learn to apply new habits every day that lead the person to adopt a more role active and away from the screens, without letting these "fill in" all their dead moments and the moments in which they do not know what make. For it mostly cognitive-behavioral techniques are used.

Second are drugs, which should only be used when they have been determined that the main cause of anxiety is of organic origin, and always under supervision medical. In the same way in these cases Ideally, the medication should be used in conjunction with psychotherapy processes. In any case, the medication should always be prescribed by a doctor.

Some of the most used drugs for anxiety cases are the following:

• Antidepressants
• Benzodiazepines.
• Buspirone.
• Beta-blockers.
• Antihistamines.

Bibliographic references:

• American Psychiatric Association (APA). (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
• Vocci, F. J.; Acri, J; Elkashef, A. (2005). Medication development for addictive disorders: the state of the science. American Journal of Psychiatry (162): pp. 1431 - 1440.
• Salamone, J. D. (1992). The motor and sensorimotor function of the striatum and dopamine accumbens Complex: Participation in the processes of instrumental behavior. Psychopharmacology (107): pp. 160 - 174.
• Sydor A, Brown RY. Molecular Neuropharmacology: A Foundation for Clinical Neuroscience (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Medical.