The modern age has brought along with it a set of new problems. The Internet is being used widely and various social media platforms have become popular. Almost every person has a social media account. Though there are various advantages of having access to the internet such as getting information on any topic at the click of a button online shopping etc. It also has a flipside to it.
Internet addiction is one of the grave consequences of such unprecedented use. Such addiction results in a waste of time and loss of productivity as it becomes a compulsive need to mindlessly surf the net. The repercussions of such an addiction affect the personal as well as professional lives of an individual.
It results in an inability to control use despite being aware of the negative consequences. If you or someone you love is facing such a problem, Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre is the perfect place for seeking treatment for the betterment of mental health.
How long does social media withdrawal last?
If one abstains or stops using social media to overcome the addiction, it is bound to lead to withdrawal symptoms just as seen in breaking any other forms of addiction.
There may be a feeling of boredom, anxiety, frustration as well as anger. After one withdraws from using social media, the withdrawal symptoms usually tend to improve within the subsequent weeks and sometimes even for two weeks. However, if such symptoms occur concurrently with other behavioural problems they may persist longer and need a diagnosis and interventional therapy.
How to cope with internet addiction?
Social media is addictive and triggers certain centres in the brain which increases the urge to check the phone each time a notification pops up or someone likes your post on Instagram or Facebook. To deal with addiction to the internet only a social media detox won’t suffice.
Here are a few points to cope with internet addiction.
- Turn off app notifications.
- Turn off vibrations.
- Use apps that monitor your screen time.
- Make use of digital well-being apps.
- Set a ‘cut-off’ time for your phone from say 10 pm to 7 am.
- Introspect or think about the reason that you keep checking social media accounts.
- Think about the fact of whether you are using the internet to avoid or escape problems in your life.
- Deal with the underlying cause.
- Reward yourself as a positive reinforcement for abstaining from social media use.
- It is said that it takes twenty-one days or three weeks to develop a new habit. If you proactively decide to find ways to deal with social media addiction and continue it for three weeks, you will be able to deal with the addiction.
- If the addiction can be resolved by the above means you should seek help or therapy to get rid of it. Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre is a leading name catering to the resolution of such addiction disorders.
- The best way, however, is the prevention of such an addiction through self-awareness.
- You can try to engage in a hobby and try being productive.
What is internet withdrawal?
Like other forms of addiction, internet withdrawal also causes various behavioural and psychological symptoms which arise from stopping or abstaining from the use of the internet.
These are a few symptoms observed:
- Anxiety
- Mood swings
- Irritability and sadness
- Loneliness and boredom
- Exhaustion
- Insomnia and other sleep disorders
- Oversleeping
- An increase in appetite
- Emotionally one might experience a feeling of despair, fear, anxiety or grief
- Depression is also noticed in some cases
- There is often an increase in the urge or temptation to access social media
- In some severe cases, psychosis also has been observed
This withdrawal phase can be difficult to go through, but it is necessary to go through it to avoid the long-term side effects of such an addiction. It is difficult to pass time with a constant urge or carving to access the internet. One must be kind to oneself to pass through it.
Internet addiction disorder
When an action takes precedence over other important things and aspects of life it is termed an addiction. When such an addiction is to the internet it is known as an internet addiction disorder. It is classified as an obsessive-compulsive disorder or an impulse control disorder. It is also known as compulsive computer use, pathological internet use or internet dependence. It affects physical and mental well-being. Such an addiction may be towards online gaming, gambling, shopping, video streaming etc.
Various symptoms observed are:
1) Emotional:
-Anxiety
-Momentary happiness
-Instability
-Losing track of time
-Tendency to procrastinate
-Isolation and depression
2) Physical:
-Blurring of vision
-Back and neck problems
-Weight gain
-Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Such an addiction often creates a feeling of dependency on devices and the internet. The individual prefers to be alone even when in a crowd or with others and prefers online interactions over in-person ones. Social validation becomes important and their self-esteem is often determined by the number of likes they get on their social media posts.
Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre is the best mental hospital in Mumbai and is a trusted name which addresses all such addiction disorders. Top-quality medical care is delivered at affordable rates through a personalised approach. Mental well-being is just as important as physical well-being and is an important part of a person’s overall health.