Typical manifestations of network psychological disorders

The typical manifestations of network psychological disorders mainly include emotional dependence, cognitive decline, social avoidance, somatic reactions, and behavioral loss of control. Network psychological disorders refer to abnormal psychological behaviors caused by excessive use of the internet, which may affect daily life and social functioning.

1. Emotional dependence

Emotional dependence is characterized by anxiety, irritability, or feelings of emptiness after leaving the internet, and some patients may experience strong withdrawal reactions due to the inability to access the internet. Long term dependence on online emotional regulation may lead to a decrease in emotional experience ability in real life, and even trigger depression or anxiety disorders. It is recommended to alleviate dependence by gradually reducing online time and cultivating offline interests and hobbies.

2. Decreased cognitive function

Continuous network multitasking can lead to scattered attention, decreased memory, and weakened logical thinking ability in some patients. This is related to functional inhibition of the prefrontal cortex, which may be accompanied by a significant decrease in work or learning efficiency. Cognitive behavioral training and limiting fragmented information intake can help improve symptoms.

3. Social Avoidance

Patients tend to use virtual social interaction instead of real interpersonal communication, resulting in difficulties in face-to-face communication and a decline in facial expression recognition ability. Severe cases can develop into social anxiety disorder, manifested as deliberate avoidance of family gatherings or workplace social activities. Systemic desensitization therapy and social skills training are commonly used intervention methods.

4. Somatic response

Long term use of electronic devices in a fixed posture may cause cervical spondylosis, dry eye syndrome, or carpal tunnel syndrome. Some patients may experience headaches and loss of appetite due to disrupted sleep cycles. These physical symptoms are often associated with abnormal melatonin secretion and autonomic dysfunction, and need to be regulated in combination with exercise therapy and light therapy.

5. Behavior loss of control

is typically manifested as the inability to independently control the duration of online use, continued use despite knowing it is harmful, and may be accompanied by impulsive consumption or pathological gambling behavior. This behavior pattern is related to abnormal dopamine reward mechanisms, and in severe cases, motivational reinforcement therapy or medication intervention is required.

To prevent network psychological disorders, it is necessary to establish a regular sleep schedule and maintain outdoor exercise for more than 30 minutes every day to help regulate neurotransmitter balance. Parents should pay attention to the internet usage patterns of teenagers, and it is recommended to set segmented usage times and conduct regular face-to-face communication. Adult patients can try mindfulness meditation training and seek professional psychological assessment if necessary. When experiencing emotional or behavioral abnormalities that persist for more than two weeks, it is necessary to seek timely medical attention at a psychiatric department.