Smartphone-addicted youth in city seek professional help

DEHRADUN: Many tech-savvy youngsters in the city are grappling with ‘nomophobia’, the psychological fear of being without a cellphone, leading them to seek counselling and help from psychologists. Talking to TOI,B Pratibha Sharma, a consultant clinical psychologist, at the Doon hospital, said, “Dehradun is an education hub teeming with youngsters staying in hostels who are far from their families and constantly use technology to fill the communication gap which can slowly become addictive. In fact, I have seen parents handing over their smartphones to kids as young as one to divert their attention while they are busy with work which is making young kids prone to tech use.”
The need to keep themselves constantly updated on Twitter and Facebook is taking a toll on the youngsters, experts say.
“I see as many as seven cases of technology obsessed youth in a month and usually counselling is done along with cognitive behavioural therapy in some cases where there is severe dependence on technology,” Sharma said.
Psychologists also underlined that nomophobia is an actual fear and nothing to make light of. Psychologist Gurleen Bindra said, “Nomophobia, which until years ago was laughed upon in today’s time is a real issue. People get jittery when they do not have access to their smartphones.In fact, many constantly check office mails and feel that it is an obligation to remain updated on work related issues even if it is the middle of the night.”
Many technology obsessed youth in the age bracket of 16 to 35 years that TOI spoke to said that they have consulted doctors and psychologists without the knowledge of their friends and family to get over their obsession with cellphones and other technology.
"I tried to not use my phone at least during my exams but the habit is hard to leave. Even putting the phone on silent does not help, as after every few minutes, I feel the craving to check it. But after taking psychological help I am able to manage without using my smartphone for long intervals," said a class XI student in the city school on the condition of anonymity.
Dr Sumit Mehta, psychiatrist at a leading hospitalin town, said, “Much like drug detoxification in drug-dependent patients, we evaluate the technological addiction and monitor for withdrawal symptoms like irritability, sleeplessness when they decrease their technology usage. Then, we gradually limit their smartphone and internet usage which we call digital detoxification. It is imperative that patients are helped to gradually let go of their technological addiction depending upon their priorities of tech usage as it is something which is must in today’s life.”