Technology is all around us. Most of us keep our mobile phone by our side and access to the internet is never far away. But how does this affect people living with anxiety. Recent studies have shown that smartphones can cause stress and that some people are addicted to the internet.
Many people own smartphones, where they are not only able to make phone calls and send texts but also have instant access to the internet where they can check emails and social networking sites. The whole world is at our fingertips but research done by psychologists at the University of Worcester has found that some smartphone users suffer from anxiety and withdrawal symptoms when they do not receive any text messages or notifications.
Richard Balding, author of the study said, “So many people have smartphones now that the effect they have on their lives and the amount of
time they are spending on them is, to be honest, quite scary.” He also added, “It is about weighing the good with the bad and moderating usage. From my study I found that users had a dependency with their phones that they suffered from feelings of withdrawal when they didn’t get any message or alerts.”
Other studies have shown that people are become addicted to using the internet. Chinese scientists have observed differences in the brains of people who obsessively use the internet similar to those who have substance addictions.
Some people become so obsessed with something on the internet, for example playing a certain game, that they disregard other obligations which can lead to broken down relationships and not attending university or work because they are unable to emotionally connect with anything outside of the game.
However there are a lot of counter arguments as to whether people really are becoming addicted to the internet. Some people have argued that it isn’t the internet that people are becoming addicted to but things that the internet facilitates, for example gaming. Others have argued that addiction to the internet may be a symptom of other condition rather than a condition in itself.
Colin Drummond, professor of addiction psychiatry at Kings College London said: “If people have emotional problems and that leads them to use the internet obsessively then they obviously need help to deal with those problems, but that’s quite different to saying that the internet is addictive.” He also added, “Excessive internet use is a symptom not a cause of one person’s problems.”
Following on from this, Anxiety UK is working with Salford University Business school students to research whether technology is a help or hindrance to people living with technology. We would like to know your opinions. Take part in our poll here to show us what you think.
