All about tech addiction

Texting or yakking on the mobile while driving can be seriously unsafe, and being the most wired person can be equally harmful for you. Read on to find out how.

What is technology addiction?
As technology becomes a large part of everyday lives, the risk of overexposure to new advances is growing. With cellphones, BlackBerries, PDAs, instant messaging and email, personal technology users can find themselves in a constant state of alert. Says Dr Rachna Singh, Consultant, Artemis Health Institute, Gurgaon: “If personal technology use interferes with the normal activities of life, then it can be classified as an addiction.”

What are the symptoms?
Do you know someone who is far more concerned with blogging and surfing the Internet than with eating dinner, socialising or even watching TV? Says Dr Atul Gogia, Senior Consultant, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi: “The person may be a victim of this disorder.”

What are the associated problems?

• Says Dr Singh: "Excessive computer usage is linked to neck and back pain, thumb tendonitis and improper blood circulation."
  
  
• Says Dr Gogia: "Conditions such as short-sightedness can be exacerbated by habitually focussing on a mobile or computer screen."
  
  
• Says Dr Singh: "When technology is inaccessible it may cause anger, tension or depression."
  
  What are the treatment options?
  
• Says Dr Singh: "Take a hard look at how you are using technologies, and then start to set some limits."
  
  
• As a preventive measure, roll your shoulders and move your fingers every 30 minutes or so.
  
  
• Use a stylus as there is less risk of repetitive strain injury.

—Manu Kaushik