Mobile phone addiction: symptoms, consequences and what to do

In today’s technological societies, the mobile phone has become an integral device of people’s existence. However, its abusive use has led many researchers and experts to question whether we are crossing the line between a useful tool and an addictive problem.

“Mobile phone addiction” is a term that has gained relevance in recent years, and although it is not officially recognized as a mental disorder, in the clinical sense, its impact on people’s daily lives is undeniable.

What is mobile addiction?

It is a behavioral pattern characterized by a excessive cell phone use that causes negative consequences in different areas of the person’s life: family, social, work, passion, academic. Furthermore, it significantly affects your daily functioning and well-being.

Although the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) does not recognize it as an addictive disorder in its classification, some consider it an addiction as such. Likewise, the APA (American Psychological Association) does not categorize it as a disorder, because There is not enough scientific data to define its diagnostic criteria. There is also not enough information to determine its course.

The actions related to smartphone use are described, according to these researchers, as problematic or inappropriate behaviors, the resulting effects of which do not reach the typical severity of addictions.

Although “mobile phone addiction” is not formally recognized, in this article we will use that term, due to its wide social acceptance. However, it is crucial to emphasize that, although we use this expression, in essence we are referring to problematic, abusive or excessive cell phone use.

Symptoms

Mobile phone addiction manifests itself through a series of symptoms that affect the well-being of the person who suffers from them and the relationships they have in different areas. Next, we will describe the symptoms of this condition.

1. Dangerous use of mobile phones

People with a cell phone addiction tend to use your devices even in situations that can be described as dangerous or in contexts where it is prohibited. This can include moments, such as driving or crossing the street.

2. Interpersonal conflicts

Addiction can cause conflict with friends and family, and generate confrontations that end in distancing, social disconnection and fights. In addition to this, the person may lose interest in activities they used to enjoy due to prioritizing cell phone use. This can exacerbate her isolation.

3. Ignore harmful effects

Despite the problems that continuous use of the telephone can generate, those addicted to these devices cannot stop using them. They ignore the negative consequences for the sake of the immediate satisfaction that the device provides.

4. Physical and mental disturbances

Excessive cell phone use not only affects time and relationships, but can also cause physical damage: pain in the neck and fingers; mental conditions: depression, stress, anxiety) and social: isolation, conflicts. These problems interfere with the addict’s work and family life.

5. Impulse control problems

The person feels a strong impulse that makes it difficult to control the need to use the cell phone. The lack of control is noted in situations where the subject intends not to use the cell phone or to take a break, however, the uncontrollable desire to use it prevents him from fulfilling his purpose.

6. Compulsive verification

Individuals with cell phone addiction they feel the need to check their devices constantly, even in short time intervals. This repetitive action can lead them to wake up at night to check their cell phone, which generates sleep disturbance in the short and long term.

7. Tolerance

The person experiences the need to use your cell phone for longer periods of time, to feel the same level of satisfaction (tolerance). You can also use it to counteract negative feelings.

8. Compulsive connection

This symptom reflects a prevailing and urgent need to be connected or aware of the mobile. Its use becomes a priority over other tasks or activities.

9. Priority to virtuality

Those who suffer from mobile addiction assign greater importance to virtual meetings, since they prioritize cell phone use. Therefore, they relegate personal, face-to-face contact and give greater priority to virtual interaction mediated by the use of instant messaging applications.

10. Withdrawal syndrome

When the cell phone addict cannot use the device, they begin to feel different symptoms associated with the withdrawal syndrome: irritability, anxiety, general malaise, sweating, sleep problems, among others.

In addition to cell phone addiction, other manifestations of problematic use may appear, such as the following:

Nomophobia: Fear related to not having access to a mobile phone.Textaphrenia: Concern about not being able to send or receive text messages.Ringxiety: Believing that the phone has received an alert or notification, even if this is not the case.Textiety: Restlessness or anxiety due to the need to respond to text messages instantly.

Risk factors for developing a cell phone addiction

There is no definitive list of causes or risk factors to consolidate a cell phone addiction. Despite this, below, we will review and explain some variables that could be key in the development of this type of problem.

Being a teenager: During this stage, the prefrontal cortex, responsible, among other things, for regulating and controlling impulses, has not yet finished developing. This can hinder your ability to avoid the temptation to use your cell phone. In this phase of development, where an identity is being sought, the cell phone and social networks are also a means to explore the world and thus configure a way of being.Low self-esteem: Those who have this characteristic tend to seek external approval to feel good about themselves. This can lead to excessive use of cell phones and social networks, as a means to obtain acceptance, attention and validation, which gives them a feeling of worth.Poor social skills: There are people who prefer to communicate through digital media, because they have problems relating face to face with other people in social situations. Although the cell phone protects them from this discomfort, it can lead them to depend a lot on it.Inability to solve problems: Those who do not know how to deal with conflicts (family, social, academic, work) may end up confining themselves to their cell phone, as an avoidance strategy that allows them to avoid the stress and anxiety that the problem generates.Under impulse control: Individuals who have difficulty regulating their impulses are prone to problematic cell phone use, since they are not able to resist the temptation to check it. The gratification that the mobile phone generates is very attractive and difficult to avoid.Anxiety: The cell phone can function as a coping mechanism for those who suffer from an anxiety disorder. Through it, they can distract themselves from their thoughts and the discomfort caused by being anxious. According to a review in the Chilean Journal of Neuro-Psychiatry, the excessive use of the cell phone predisposes to non-verbal behavior, by limiting face-to-face interaction, which could generate anxiety attacks, depression and aggressive behaviors.

It is necessary to clarify that having one or more of these factors does not guarantee that a person will develop addictive behavior. Being aware of these risks can help people prevent mobile phone misuse and promote more informed decisions about their use.

The effects of continued mobile phone use

There are multiple negative consequences associated with the excessive, maladaptive and problematic use of cell phones. Many of its effects are reflected, both physically and mentally.

1. Increased stress

Frequent use of mobile phones increases stress levels in users. This may be due to the constant need to be available, which makes it possible to generate pressure and anxiety in people.

2. Symptoms of depression

Excessive use of mobile phones is associated with symptoms of depression. This could be related to the feeling of always being connected and the pressures associated with constant communication.

3. Attention problems

When checking social networks, other people’s email, opinions, requests and advertising clutter the mind. The spread of all these stimulations generates a lot of distraction and decreases attention.

4. Difficulties in cognitive-emotional regulation

Subjects with cell phone addiction may present difficulties regulating your emotions and begin to suppress the expression of your negative emotions. Excessive phone use also leads to emotional avoidance, which in the long term hinders the ability to face and process unpleasant emotions.

5. Impulsiveness

The cell phone and frequent use of social networks generates immediate gratification through the release of dopamine. These instant rewards can get the person used to receiving satisfaction quickly, which It motivates her to make impulsive decisions in order to immediately get the pleasure she wants.

6. Impaired cognitive function

In general, problematic mobile phone use can cause problems in different cognitive processes: attention, memory, thinking, affective regulation. Likewise, it can affect cognitive performance in tasks that require a high demand for mental resources.

7. Shyness and low self-esteem

When cell phone addiction is related to the abuse of social networks, can cause a deterioration in self-esteem through negative comparisons with the lives of others. Seeing the “perfect life” of others generates a feeling of inadequacy and dissatisfaction.

On the other hand, cell phone dependence reduces face-to-face interactions, which could compromise the ability to socialize. This would enable the appearance of shy behaviors, since good social skills to interact with others are not developed.

8. Sleep disorders

Mobile phone addiction can cause sleep disorders. One possible reason is that calls, notifications, messages, and the desire to check the phone disrupt a person’s sleep cycle.

9. Muscle stiffness and pain

Using the cell phone in inappropriate body postures can generate tension and pain in the muscles, especially in the neck and back. This could generate the…