Heavy texters prone to anxiety, dejection

[1]

A student of Deshbandhu College, Delhi University (DU), Saurabh Prakash thinks of himself as being “well-connected.” At least for all his friends and family, he is just an SMS away! “I have taken a monthly SMS package, which makes my messages cost nearly nothing,” he says. Another DU student, Parvathy Ramaswamy is high on

texting too, but boasts receiving more messages than she sends. “I feel SMSing is better than calling someone or sending an MMS. An SMS is more polite and can be used to check if the person concerned is busy or free. It also gives the sender privacy, even if he or she is surrounded by people,” she adds.
Not just these two, about 60 per cent of the Indian youth send or receive over 125 text messages daily. As a study by trade chamber ASSOCHAM highlights, the widespread availability of cheap, unlimited text message plans have resulted in the transformation of communication patterns of the Indian youth. Amongst them, texting has surpassed other forms of daily interaction such as face-to-face conversations, voice calling, social networking, instant messaging and sending e-mails.
Besides the sociological shift, excessive text messages have led to young people developing health problems such as uneasiness, anger and sleeplessness. In its research, the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College (MGMMC), Indore, finds GenNext falling prey to depression and fear, with around 60 per cent accepting that excessive mobile phone messaging has affected their studies and 42 per cent not enjoying a sound sleep. And if there is no reply to an SMS, 55 per cent of the youngsters get upset, while 32 per cent feel dejected, presuming that no one wants to be on their contact list. Around 93 per cent turn anxious after they don’t get an almost instant reply to their SMS, says the study.
“Considering that the young generation is living everything instantly, the anxiousness often leads to problems. Time and again we get cases of mobile phone overuse and the problems it leads to,” shares Dr Monica Chib, Senior Consultant Psychiatry, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital.
Understanding that the youth is not likely to give up the fixation, experts like Dr Chib have a word of caution. The first is to treat a message like a message, and not get obsessed about it. “Then, build the understanding that the person you have sent an SMS to could be busy at work or mulling over what reply he or she should send you. Be considerate and give the person on the other side some time. This will not only save you from anxiety, but also help you send judicious messages. For those who find the SMS deluge storming their studies and sleep, it is high time to prioritise and switch off if need be,” concludes the psychiatrist.