FARIDABAD: Digital addiction is already taking a toll on the mental health of young people across the world, with experts seeking ways to mitigate the impact and stem this spiralling decline.
Experts have found that the increasing use of social media and digital interaction in India is affecting the mental health of girls more than boys. Late childhood and adolescence are the age periods when personality starts forming and gradually solidifies, getting further established in one's early 20s.
Dr Rakesh K Chadha, head of the psychiatry department at Amrita Hospital in Faridabad, said technological advancements have made adolescents and young adults between the ages of 15 and 25 more susceptible to mental health problems.
He blamed the negative impact on health, especially mental health, on “the rise of information technology, in particular the increased use of social media and digital interactions.”
The psychiatrist explained that excessive use of technology has reduced physical activity and exercise in daily life, disrupted regular sleep patterns in both timing and duration, promoted thought-free instant messaging and reduced face-to-face interactions.
“Emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD), also known as borderline personality disorder (BPD), has increased significantly among young people over the past 10 to 20 years, with rates in women more than twice as high as in men,” Dr Chadha said.
Experts noted that if left untreated, it can have a serious impact on social and occupational functioning and can lead to co-occurring mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse and increased risk of suicide.
“There has been a significant increase in abuse, especially of alcohol and illegal drugs, among people aged 15 to 25. Depression is more prevalent among women in this age group, while substance abuse is more common among men.”
“Furthermore, self-harm and anxiety disorders are more prevalent among girls, suggesting a gender disparity in mental health issues,” said Dr Chadha.A recent study published in the April issue of the Indian Journal of Psychiatry found that 22 percent of college students suffer from BPD.
In comparison, a 2019 study estimated the prevalence at 15%, while a 2016 meta-analysis of 43 global studies put the prevalence at 9%. This data suggests a notable increase in the prevalence of BPD in India. Moreover, clinical settings have reported an increase in the number of BPD cases over the past decade, which is in stark contrast to the figures observed 20-30 years ago.
Additionally, the risks of cybercrime, including bullying, financial fraud and exposure to inappropriate content, are of growing concern, especially for adolescent girls and young people, experts noted.
Cyberbullying can exacerbate mental health problems, leading to depressed mood, social withdrawal, self-harm and substance use, thereby increasing the overall disease burden. Experts stressed on healthy lifestyle interventions and urged parents, teachers and policymakers to raise awareness among young people.
(With inputs from IANS)
