Social sites cause mental ill health, says expert
Posted on: 06/May/2013 4:16:59 PM
According to new studies, social networking sites like Facebook may affect mental health. ‘As internet access becomes increasingly widespread, so do related psychopathologies such as internet addiction and delusions related to the technology and to virtual relationships’, says the report.
Speaking about this, Tel Aviv University’s Dr. Uri Nitzan said, ‘Web-based communication systems such as Facebook and chat groups are an important part of this story… Patients shared some crucial characteristics, including loneliness or vulnerability due to the loss of or separation from a loved one, relative inexperience with technology, and no prior history of psychosis or substance abuse…. In each case, a connection was found between the gradual development and exacerbation of psychotic symptoms, including delusions, anxiety, confusion, and intensified use of computer communications.
‘The good news is that all of the patients who sought out treatment on their own were able to make a full recovery with proper treatment care. All three of (my) patients sought refuge from loneliness and found solace in intense virtual relationships. Though the relationships were positive at first, they later led to feelings of hurt, betrayal, and invasion of privacy… All three patients developed psychotic symptoms related to the situation, including delusions regarding the person behind the screen and their connection through the computer.’
