Newsroom
June 2006
-
Technology Addiction: Taming the Latest Psychological Disorder
Contact: Mary Tressel
925-798-9421
mary@tresselpr.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Technology Addiction: Taming the Latest Psychological Disorder
San Francisco, CA – June 26, 2006 – From the San Francisco Chronicle to the International Herald Tribune, media coverage of "technology addiction," a new psychological phenomenon, is prevalent.
According to local psychoanalyst Mark I. Levy, M.D., a technology addict is someone who is compulsively tied to his electronic gadget, whether it’s a cell phone, the Internet, or a video game.
"Technology addiction is an impulse disorder, so it can be categorized and found just as psychologically and socially damaging as alcoholism, gambling, promiscuity and drug addiction," says Dr. Levy, a member of the San Francisco Psychoanalytic Institute & Society’s Public Information Committee.
Like other addictions, those individuals experiencing technology addiction attempt to rationalize their behavior. Some of these rationalizations may include defining the technology tool as essential for survival and as not interfering with the person’s life.
Overt signs of technology addiction include disruption of interpersonal relationships, poor school or job performance, and risky health behaviors such as skipping sleep or meals to maintain connection with the technological tool.
"If an individual becomes anxious upon being denied the opportunity to use his electronic gadget, that is a suggestive sign of addiction," says Dr. Levy.
"If the urgency grows and relief is obtained from his anxiety by the use of the technology tool, chances are the individual is experiencing a form of addiction."
While treatment for drug and alcohol addiction focuses on life-long abstinence, leading experts in technology addiction recognize that cell phones, computers and the Internet are considered essential work and social tools in America.
Treatment for technology addiction focuses on moderate use of the tool in question.
Some programs encourage participants to discover alternative forms of stimulation, such as adventure sports or simply scheduling time away from the gadget and actively engaging in social events with family, neighbors, and friends.
"Technology addiction is like another impulse disorder: food addiction.
We need to eat to live, so we need to learn how to eat rationally, not compulsively," said Dr. Levy.
To schedule an interview with Dr. Levy on the topic of technology addiction, please contact Mary E. Tressel at 925-798-9421.
The San Francisco Psychoanalytic Institute & Society (SFPI&S) was founded over 65 years ago.
This nonprofit organization boasts a membership of over 160 practicing analysts and more than 45 candidates (psychoanalysts in training).
Psychoanalysts are experienced mental health professionals, already possessing advanced degrees (MD’s, PhD’s or MSW’s), who have undergone at least eight years of psychoanalytic training.
# # #
News Room is
published as a service to the media by the San Francisco Foundation for Psychoanalysis.
Managing Editor: Mary Tressel (925) 798-9421
