Technology Creates Social Isolation & Neurosis

By: James Murphy

The link between technological advance and everyday social interactions is becoming an important issue. An example of this issue comes from the internet & cell phones. The rapid expansion of using these products has provided people with ever expanding knowledge across the globe and led to addictive behaviors that replace healthy forms of socializing.

There have been many case studies that carefully examine the connection between Neurosis & various forms of technology.

What is Neurosis?

Main causes of neurosis

Neurosis can be identified as various forms of intense physical/mental stress.

• Consistent reoccurring feelings of permanent work & the inability to feel relaxed over prolonged periods of time.

• Strong emotional experiences are associated to problems within our personal life.

• Can be derived from mental & physical symptoms.

Neurosis

• Persistent fear & anxiety from the development of phobias

• Unwillingness to cope with stressful situations

• Consistently altered self-esteem values (very low – very high)

• Easily changeable moods

Mental Symptoms

Physical Symptoms

• Infringement of appetite (over/under consumption of food) to cope with stress

• Various forms of sleeping disorder

• Pains/altered feeling of the head, abdomen & heart

Neurosis (continued)

Neurosis derived from the unconscious part of the mind that acts as a storage for repressed thoughts.

These memories are often related to disturbing moments within ones life and can start from a variety of scenarios that affected us negatively.

In current-day society Neurosis is becoming a more common occurrence. Technology has been speeding up the ways we perform all of our tasks and it has become much easier to ignore some of the problems it has introduced into our lives.

Psychoanalytic Neurosis

Social isolation

Self-proclaimed internet addicts have said, the internet has improved quality of life but also restricted our social interactions.

“It's a history that began with the Industrial Revolution, when the male started to leave the house to earn a living and was not teaching his son how to carry on his craft, now we have very few remaining institutions that are face to face.” (Dixon, K. 2005)

Social isolation (continued)

On average, internet users spend at least 3 hours online everyday, roughly half of those 3 hours are used for communicating.

• Websites such as Twitter & Facebook enable us to communicate with our piers through computer or cell phone.

• Generally cell phones and these social media sites don’t cause social isolation, however they can be seen as a stepping stone to this kind of behavior/mental state.

Social Isolation, Neurosis & Technology

The connection between these three topics is indeed real. It’s not surprising that technology has provided more outlets for these problems to thrive.

The world has never been more connected and yet at the same time it has created more obstacles to overcome. Technology can be linked to people spending less time socially connecting face to face with others.

Social Isolation, Neurosis & Technology (continued)

Technology has slowly been replacing the ways we interact within society. One of the most beneficial social environments in our society is the workplace.

New technology has enabled people to work from home and enables living an un-social life. which is great for some people but in general it can lead to a more socially disconnected way of living.

Can these symptoms be avoided?

• Symptoms should not be avoided. When dealing with social isolation or Neurosis the first goal is to seek help from a professional.

• Avoiding/ignoring feelings of isolation & Neurosis will only make the severity of the problem increase.

• Social isolation & Neurosis implemented through technology can be overcome with positive/processional help.

• Overcoming these given problems starts with acceptance of oneself and willingness to progress.

Solutions? (Neurosis)

The preferred method of treatment for Neurosis is psychotherapy.

• This form of communication allows the patient to align their emotional background & learn how this disorder is caused.

• A strong formation of trust between patient and doctor

• Achieving a feeling of traction/belonging & learning how to cope with mental stressors, as well as phobias.

Solutions (Social Isolation)

Isolation implemented by technology can be difficult to deal with in a society where it is made available almost everywhere.

• Increase everyday face to face interaction with others.

• Allow physical contact/help in your life.

• Seek professional advice

Summary/Conclusion

Technology has improved society in many ways but as it becomes more sophisticated (globally) people tend to

become more prone to physical/mental stressors it implements within our everyday lives.

References

• Dixon, K. (2005, February 23). Researchers link use of Internet, social isolation. Retrieved April 12, 2015, from http://news.stanford.edu/news/2005/february23/internet-022305.html

• Hampton, K. (2009, November 3). Social Isolation and New Technology. Retrieved April 12, 2015, from http://www.pewinternet.org/2009/11/04/social-isolation-and-new-technology/

• Henriques, G. (2012, November 23). (When) Are You Neurotic? Retrieved April 12, 2015, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/theory-knowledge/201211/when-are-you-neurotic

• Lutfala, A. (2011, October 28). Technology imposes social isolation. Retrieved April 12, 2015, from http://trail.pugetsound.edu/2011/10/technology-imposes-social-isolation/

• Neurosis | psychology. (2014, September 4). Retrieved April 12, 2015, from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/481779/neurosis

• Treatment of neuroses. (n.d.). Retrieved April 12, 2015, from http://unicen.org/en/services/treatment-of-neuroses