Digital, Mobile, & Cyber- Over-usage Affects your Brain (Know the Signs)

Cyber addiction is the excessive, compulsive non-productive use of the Internet and use of technology by a person who perilously relies on it to occupy free time for amusement, recreation or social purposes. It is often fueled by the overuse and lack of time regulation in online gaming and/or the use of mobile apps and social media networks

• Video Gaming
• Social Media
• Texting
• Excessive Internet Usage
• Excessive use of Mobile APPS
• Digital Pornography
• Sexting
• Compulsive Online Shopping

The Medical Psychiatric Community at large has expressed its concern for the excessive use of the Internet-based recreation used to fulfill the emotional and social dysfunction that has inhabited the mind, body, and emotion of hundreds of thousands of those who have become addicted to the Internet, video gaming, social media, texting, and other cyber options.

Most people will be shocked to know that the overuse of technology can affect the brain similarly to how drugs impact this cerebrum organ. This concept is no fallacy, and medical experts from all over the world have determined that this digital fixation affects more than 20 million citizens in the world. It is evident that the technology industry never intended for this massive digital invention to have such a negative impact, but as with any invention or product, the user must have quality self-control and discretion. When a person becomes addicted to this digital and cyber activity, neurotransmitters in the brain become flooded with dopamines that basically just turn off, leading the addict to search out those feelings aggressively. 

Digital and Cyber addiction are not very different from other addictions actually and just like other actions when the brain experiences something pleasant, for example being triumphant in a video game contest, or gaining thousands of followers on your social media account the dopamine rush invades the emotions causing the body to respond to the loss of self-control and thus the addiction becomes an issue. The issue with addiction is when the activity is cut off, the receptors take time to activate, resulting in the person being depressed, having mood swings, or even experiencing sleep deprivation and other negative effects. 

Think about how rare it would be to see people become addicted to studying for school, preparing for a big presentation, helping the disadvantaged, mentoring, or any other humanitarian venture. That is few and far between because the dopamine rush doesn't react the same, for this type of activity, and people, in general, are not typically addicted to conduct that is not self-consuming or self-serving. 

The Cyber & Digital phenomenon has without a doubt desensitized most of the human race to basic fundamental principals of communication and respect. Think about how the art of asking for a date in person or by phone, receiving an invitation to a wedding, or retirement celebration, calling your Mother to say "Happy Mother's Day" has been lost. Most people simply don't make time anymore to reach out in person to loved ones and friends, rather they send a message, click and move on.  This is not to say that we don't need digital communications, like cell phones, tablets, computers, or laptops, it just means that as a country we need to understand that the overuse of it has desensitized our psyche and reduced our brain stimulus regarding the repeated exposure to digital communication distraction in an unhealthy way.

We all know that the cyber world has evolved us from the antiquated world of only going to the library to research, book sharing, or leaving a message on an answering machine; Even with the evolution of this remarkable invention, you should know your limits where these devices are concerned, and not let these modes of communication take over your life. Digital communication should be used modestly and for purposes that benefit you educationally, socially, and intellectually. Therefore, if you feel you have this addiction, contact your Doctor for treatment and assistance.