Cyber addiction can negatively impact sleep

Without selfcontrol cyber addiction is a problem that is only going to get worse Regardless of age a large number of us are addicted to the internet and constantly looking forward which is bad for both our physical and mental health The fact that the majority of us are unaware of the consequences one experiences is also one of the riskier aspects of thisCyber addiction affects grades careers jobs and relationships because it is not just focused on browsing or spending excessive amounts of time on social media It also includes time spent playing games gambling compulsively checking phones or simply hanging out with online friends rather than real friendsIANSlife chats with Dr Paula Goel Consultant Pediatrician Adolescent Physician and the Founder of Fayth Clinic and she says Cyber addiction has been included in Section 3 of the DSMV which is reserved for medical conditions that require further investigation prior to being designated as a separate category of disorder Recommends the following diagnostic criteria that are required for a diagnosis of Cyber AddictionSpends too much time online thinks about the previous online activity or anticipates the next online sessionIn order to be satisfied they must spend more time using the internetHas made fruitless attempts to regulate curtail or stop Internet useWhen trying to reduce or stop using the internet becomes agitated moody melancholy or irritableHas been online longer than anticipated In addition at least one of the following requirements must be metHas endangered or run the risk of losing a significant relationship job the opportunity for education or career because of the internetHas lied to relatives a therapist or others to hide how often they use the internetUses the internet to get away from issues or to lift a depressing mood eg feelings of helplessness guilt anxiety depressionIs any particular age group more prone to cyber addictionDr Paula Can occur in any age group but is more common in male adolescents 1516 years of ageWhat may be the probable cause of cyber addictionDr Paula There are different causes the comprehensive model of the development and maintenance of internet addiction by Winkler and Dorsing takes into accountSociocultural factors eg demographic factors access to and acceptance of the Internet Neuroanatomical factors Research suggests that people with Internet addiction have alterations in the brain similar to those individuals with an addiction to drugs or gambling habit There are changes in the prefrontal cortex of the brain which is associated with attention planning and prioritizing Hence people with addictions place their addictions before basic everyday things like eating or sleepingBiological vulnerabilitiesg genetic factors and abnormalities in neurochemical processes decrease the levels of the dopamine and serotonin transmitters in the brain more than that of the general population Addictions would increase the levels of dopamine and serotonin in the brainPsychological predispositions eg personality characteristics negative effectsSpecific attributes of the Internetexcessive engagement in Internet activities especially on social media platformsWhat are the effects of cyber addiction on health social life career and academicsDr Paula Spending long hours leads to losing track of time online and staying longer than intended This can also cause physical discomfort such as carpal tunnel syndrome pain and numbness in hands and wrists Dry eyes or strained vision Backaches neck aches or severe headaches Sleep disturbances Pronounced weight gain or weight loss Depression and anxiety Mood swings with Guilt feelings and also feelings of euphoria while using the Internet as an outlet when stressed or sad or for sexual gratification or excitementIt also gets affected social life as the individual gets isolated from family and friends leading to more friends online rather than reallife friends The individual may suffer from loneliness and inability to have close personal relationships and may develop poor selfesteem and low selfconfidenceSpending long hours on social media platforms and compulsive checking of gadgets may lead to loss of concentration poor focus and lack of commitment and dedication at work and this would affect academics and career They will unable to complete their academic or work assignmentsIs there any connection between cyber addiction and sleepDr Paula Cyber addiction interferes with sleep and invariably leads to insomnia The blue light from the gadget suppresses melatonin sleep hormone Decreased levels of melatonin affect sleep and the individual may suffer from hormonal imbalance high blood sugar and insulin resistance and may develop diabetes heart disease obesity PCOS and other noncommunicable diseases all occurring as a result of faulty sleep patterns Lack of sleep also stimulates the hunger hormone ghrelin which causes increased appetite and leads to overweight and obesityDoes cyber addiction affect relationshipsDr Paula Cyber Addiction affects relationships Relationships can be formed online Cybersex and social networking can go unnoticed until it is too late Relationships formed over the internet may be exciting and addictive because of anonymity amp ease of disclosure Moreover it compensates for the feelings of loneliness as it keeps a person occupied with the minimal need for reallife interactionsThere is a huge gap between virtual and everyday reallife relationships People would often prefer to use their imaginations than interact in real life and face its challenges Virtual relationships lack tone facial expression gesture and touch This becomes extremely problematic in reallife relationships where the individuals who engage in online relationships find themselves more interested in their online friends rather than their spouses because they have created that person in their own heads The imperfection of their partners is amplified greatly amp it breaks down the need for communication and intimacy with their partners in real life creating distance and a reallife problemCybersex and pornography are other threats to real life and authentic relationships because of their anonymity convenience and escape Apart from intimate relationships relationship with family members also gets affected as they are unable to take up family responsibilities or provide support to family members at times of need A breakdown in communication significantly affects the quality of the relationship The need to spend quality time seek advice during tough times and share ones innermost feelings with family members ceases and the individual becomes isolated amp cocooned in a selfcreated world where they are unable to demarcate between the real and the virtual worldAlso Read Face yoga experts share asanas to help you get a toned jawlineThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its 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