This is an article I wrote in 2010 that is still current today – Read and enjoy
There are many kinds of mental issues that afflict humans including depression, schizophrenia, Bi polar disorder and so on. Depression is a mental issue that afflicts many people in our society today. Mental issues are really a result of our inbuilt stress management system being overwhelmed in one or more areas.
In bygone years depression was considered an adult only issue. Today however, both adults and children are routinely diagnosed with depression unlike the pre computer age when children played around more, ate organic food, were less exposed to artificial light and childhood depression was a rare occurrence if ever seen.
Stress to our system can be generated by a host of things including the presence of toxins in our bodies. Other factors include chemical, genetic, nutritional and electrical imbalances. Imbalances can result from work or relationship issues as well as environmental and genetically inherited factors and so on.
At least four of the stress factors – Toxins and chemical, nutritional and electrical imbalance are inherent in computer use, making users susceptible to various mental issues including depression like symptoms. These imbalances and stresses could also make those with genetic susceptibility more at risk.
There is no age at which exposure to stressors cannot wreak havoc in the system. The risk for teenagers is increased by the fact that their brains and body functions are still in the developing phase and may not have developed the capacity for handling certain stresses at the time of exposure. This constant rapid brain change can also mask the problem for a long time before it is detected.
The fact is that the use of computer devices of all kinds including iPhones, cell phones, video games, classroom teaching and learning devises in school and at home for study and recreation may be placing unusually high demand on the body’s nutrient, nerve and brain messaging biochemicals beyond what the growing body can effectively handle. This has serious current as well as future implications for today’s youth.
The lure of light generating devises may be too much for teenagers to handle without parental or other adult control. If parents or guardians for example are not vigilant the trouble may not be detected for a long time.
Today’s teenagers grew up on the computer and so have been exposed to these stresses for quite a while with accumulative weakening consequences for their natural body anti stress mechanism.
Computer-related health conditions take a long time to fully manifest, which may be why so many seem to suddenly be having issues. It is a build up that is now erupting much like a volcano takes a long time to build up before it erupts.
If parents do not notice the problem until behavioral issues get out of hand, there could be permanent damage done that would have implication for the rest of a child’s life.
According to The National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH), “National Survey confirms that youths are disproportionately affected by Mental Disorders.”. They also say that ” mental disorders most commonly start in early life”
….. to be continued in part II
Please be sure to read part II. I will be providing some very simple practical suggestions
References
National Institute for Mental Health article – http://www.nimh.nih.gov/news/science-news/2010/national-survey-confirms-that-youth-are-disproportionately-affected-by-mental-disorders.shtml
adetutuijose
