Tech-driven lifestyle fuelling personality disorders in girls in India

Increased use of social media and digital interactions are affecting the mental health of more young girls in India than boys according to an expertLate childhood and adolescence are the age groups when personality starts developing and gradually solidifying before getting further established in the early 20sDr Rakesh K Chadda HoD Psychiatry Amrita Hospital Faridabad said advances in technology are making adolescents and young adults aged between 1525 vulnerable to developing mental health challengesHe blamed it on ldquothe rise of information technology particularly the increased use of social media and digital interactionsrdquo for the negative impact on health especially mental wellbeingIt is because the overuse of technology has diminished physical activity and exercise in daily routines disrupted regular sleep patterns in both timing and duration encouraged instant messaging without time for reflection and reduced facetoface inperson interactions the psychiatrist explainedldquoEmotionally unstable personality disorder EUPD also known as a Borderline Personality Disorder BPD has significantly increased among youth over the last one to two decades with rates more than twice in females compared to malesrdquo Dr Chadda saidThe expert noted that if left untreated it can severely impact social and occupational functioning leading to cooccurring mental health issues like depression anxiety substance abuse and an increased risk of suicideldquoSubstance abuse has notably increased among individuals aged 1525 particularly with alcohol and illicit drugs Depression is more prevalent in females within this age group while substance abuse is more common among malesldquoAdditionally selfharm and anxiety disorders are seen more frequently in girls implicating a gender disparity in mental health issuesrdquo Dr Chadda saidA recent study published in the April issue of the Indian Journal of Psychiatry revealed a 22 per cent prevalence of BPD among college studentsIn comparison a 2019 study estimated the prevalence at 15 per cent and a 2016 metaanalysis of 43 global studies had placed it at 9 per centThis data suggests a noticeable increase in BPD prevalence in IndiaAdditionally clinical settings have reported a rising number of BPD cases over the past decade a stark contrast to the numbers observed 2030 years agoIn addition the risks of cybercrimes such as bullying financial fraud and exposure to inappropriate content are all growing concerns particularly for adolescent girls and youth the expert notedCyberbullying can worsen mental health problems and contribute to low mood social withdrawal selfharm tendencies and substance use thereby adding to the overall disease burdenThe expert emphasised healthy lifestyle interventions and urged parents teachers and policymakers to sensitise the youthAlso read Drug trial shows hope for less invasive treatment of rare foetal blood diseaseThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever