For Saving the Future of Tomorrow, youth of the nation must come out of cyber illusion and its addiction. Let this end this era of unhappiness and Loneliness. We can see physical suffering but mental suffering and agony cannot be seen. Healthy communication and love just love can save anything and anyone “Happy Mind Is a Healthy Body and Healthy Body Is Healthier Shining India...”

By, Dr. Sonia MBBS.MD

Psychiatrist, Manipal

“Adolescence” the phase of life that begins in biology ends in society. Experience during teen years varies according to cultural and social value of network. Mental disorders and mental health problems have increased among adolescents in past 20-30 years. Mental health disorders in children and young people can damage self-esteem and relationships reducing quality of life not only to child but to caregivers also. Adolescent phase marked by certain vulnerabilities. They get into earlier addictions which are difficult to eradicate. Chemical addiction- • Alcohol, Tobacco, Marijuana, Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Opiates, Hallucinogens, Inhalants, Prescription pills, Pain killers. Behavioral addiction.

The Internet with its speed, accessibility and affordability has increased the number of user’s day by day. Adolescents and young adults are at high risk of usage. Internet Addiction: Excessive or poorly controlled preoccupations, urges or behaviors regarding computer use and internet access. We often hear parents complaining that their children are engrossed in mobile phones, and parents also contribute by catering demands of children at a very early age like buying them a mobile phone. Addiction to games , social media is the most concern.

 Others include Addiction to adult websites, involvement in online relationships, Obsessive online gambling, Shopping, Obsessive computer game playing. Characteristics of Social Networking Addiction are – A feeling that being online is the only way to be noticed by the world at large. Longing for another post, update, or chat SCAM (otherwise known as 'SNEAKING') before they sleep. A strong anticipation to being logged onto their social network of choice and seeing what everyone in their network is doing. Episodes of logging onto their social network randomly while in the middle of something completely different. Binge sneaking and sleepless nights due to sneaking Drowsiness the next day due to long nights of sneaking Selfie the trend these days… It is turning into obsession. There is a constant craving for approval and wanting applauds by others. We care so much about what others think? Don’t we? This excessive kind of self-love not caring the sentiments and emotions of others revolves around a personality disorder. Actually, most people who have many friends, followers on social media are actually ones who very lonely. Loneliness is the killer term etiology of all root cause. Cognitions include compulsive Internet use that leads to negative outcomes at work, school or in personal relationships, denying or lying about Internet use and using the Internet to escape from one's problems (e.g. depression, loneliness, etc.).

This produces negative outcomes, producing a diminished sense of self-worth and increased social withdrawal. Screening Questionnaire to Assess Internet Addiction1. Do you feel preoccupied with using your computer.? 2. Do you feel that Internet use is excessive, inappropriate or poorly controlled? 3. Have your urges to use Internet, ever been overly time consuming? 4. Has it caused you to feel upset, guilty or led to serious problems in your life (Financial, Legal, Relationship loss) Common characteristics are – ? Excess use – Loss of sense of time ? Withdrawal – When not accessible anger, tension, irritability ? Tolerance – increasing daily Hours of use ? Argument, Lying, Poor achievement, Social isolation, ? Sleepless nights due to prolonged use. Drowsiness next day. ? Depression, Desperation and Suicide. ? The ill effects are marked distress and impairment in daily life activities. ? You need to seek help of a PSYCHIATRIST when you develop any of the above symptoms. ? Children and young adults often hesitate to seek help. ? There is always help available, remember there is more to life than our online community. ? Make decision to reconnect with offline community. ? Self-assessment with complete honesty is very important. ? We live in such a fake world trying to please those who are least significant in our lives. ? Let us confess and apologize, remove the guilt and learn that by enjoying more in offline activities we are adding more to ones lives and learning to cope in a world outside online social network. ? Root relations which shape our lives are friends, family, and teachers. ? Education in parenting, child rearing important. ? A Healthy family atmosphere is very important.

Role of family- Healthy conversation which includes positive emotions and optimism o Gratitude , Recognize one’s strength , Never fail to applaud. , Good Nutrition, , Encourage Physical activity,  Meditation. Let us live in a real world valuing real people who love us truly and who really care for us unconditionally. Let this end this era of unhappiness and Loneliness. We can see physical suffering but mental suffering and agony cannot be seen. Healthy communication and love just love can save anything and anyone “Happy Mind Is a Healthy Body and Healthy Body Is Healthier Shining India...”

By, Dr. Sonia MBBS.MD

 Psychiatrist, Manipal