Just researching this subject, I am thrown through a whirlwind of social media related articles. It's intriguing and overwhelming all at the same time. One specific idea all of these different articles have in common, is the question whether a social media addiction is a loosely thrown around term or that it's a real medical condition. Let's look at what the definition of "addiction" means, and answer the highly anticipated question: Is social media addiction, by the books, a true doctor diagnosed medical condition?
ad·dic·tion/əˈdikSHən/
- Noun: The fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing, or activity.
Common addictions like smoking or food are considered mild compared to addictions like illegal drugs and pornography. All of these addictions have one thing in common, which is a constant craving and desire for these particular substances, things and activities.You can be physiologically or psychologically dependent or become so involved in something it becomes compulsive. It can be anything from a cocaine addiction to video games.
ad·dict·ed (
-d
kt
)- 1. To cause to become physiologically or psychologically dependent on a habit-forming substance.
- 2. To occupy (oneself) with or involve (oneself) in something habitually or compulsively.
For some social media is a way for them to stay connected to family and friends, while others use it as a place to escape reality. I myself can say that Facebook and Twitter are both addicting but I don't believe I fit under the definition as an "addict". I don't compulsively check my Facebook or Twitter and I know I can live sanely for days and weeks without these networking tools because I've done without them before. There are some who seem to be psychologically dependent on all forms of social media.
This story for example is about a young woman who was so consumed by playing Farm Ville on Facebook, that she shook her 3-month old to death when he wouldn't stop crying. She pleaded guilty to second degree murder. This type of incident is very intriguing and often tests professional psychologists. They are trying to decipher weather this lady was disturbed or if her social media addiction played a role in the murder. This is not just true for this woman for example, but many other people as well.
We live in a generation where social media suddenly boomed and is rapidly increasing. According to the Nielsen Co., Americans spend an average of 30 minutes a day -- 906 minutes a month -- on social networks or blogs. It's no wonder were seeing more and more of this internet addiction. Psychologist David Greenfield who founded The Center for Internet and Technology Addiction was one of the first in the medical profession to identify internet addiction. He says social media addiction is a subset of internet addiction and they are seeing more of this especially by teens.
Is Social Media Addiction a Legitimate Condition?
According to Melvyn Preisz, a doctor who runs the Preisz-McMillin Clinic, a mental health treatment facility, says that social media is a true condition just like a porn addiction. Although it is not published in the (DSM-IV) Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders, that does not mean that the addiction is not real and isn't present today. Because it is not published in the manual by the American Psychiatric Association, many do not know that social media addiction really is a clinical condition.
If you feel your social media addiction is out of hand, the rehab facility reSTART, located in Richmond, Virgina charges a small fee of $14,500 for a 45-day intensive-care program. Now I know not many could afford this option. My advice? Take small breaks that block out all technology including internet, phone, iPod's and just use your time to interact face-to-face and enjoy the company of others without clutter and noise getting in the way.
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