i-Disorder: the psychology of technologyi-Disorder: the psychology of technology
All In The Mind
Keeping up with phone calls, sms messages, Facebook updates, tweets ... sometimes it feels like technology rules our lives. Psychology of technology researcher Dr Larry Rosen warns that our technology is causing us to develop symptoms of disorders such as narcissistic personality disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder. He points out the warning signs of what he calls 'i-disorders' and suggests some strategies to maintain our humanity.
28:50•17 Jun 2012
i-Disorder: How Technology Starts to Look a Lot Like Addiction
Episode Overview
- Heavy use of phones and social media is linked in Rosen’s research to symptoms resembling multiple psychiatric disorders, including narcissism, OCD and attention deficit disorders.
- Many people report anxiety if they are separated from their phones, frequent pocket-checking and even "phantom vibrations", echoing compulsive checking behaviour.
- Social media can both lift and lower mood: more varied Facebook friendships may lessen depression, but constant comparison with others’ "perfect" lives can make people feel worse.
- Brain scans show that online search and Facebook activity strongly activate the brain and can trigger dopamine release, similar to recognised addictions such as alcohol or gambling.
- Rosen suggests short, regular breaks from screens and an "electronic waiting period" before sending messages to calm the brain and reduce anxious, impulsive or self-focused online behaviour.
“"Technology is highly activating, highly energising. And what's really important is that you not get rid of it, that you use it judiciously."”
Curious about how others navigate their sobriety journey with a smartphone glued to their hand? This conversation on All In The Mind takes a hard look at how everyday tech habits can start to resemble addiction and other psychological problems. Host Lynne Malcolm talks with psychologist Dr Larry Rosen, who has spent decades studying the psychology of technology.
He argues that our phones and social media use are pushing many of us towards what he calls "i-disorders" – patterns of behaviour that echo conditions like narcissistic personality disorder, OCD, attention deficit disorders, depression and even mania.
As he bluntly puts it, "every single psychiatric disorder can be predicted by use of technology." You’ll hear from young adults Emily Jacobs and Rebecca, who describe checking their phones every few minutes, feeling anxious if they leave them behind, and even experiencing "phantom vibration syndrome". Their stories mirror Rosen’s research: constant notifications, pressure to present a perfect life online, and that twitchy urge to check your pocket yet again.
For anyone interested in addiction or recovery, one moment stands out. Rosen explains that brain scans show using Facebook can trigger dopamine, "the same chemical that’s released into your brain when you have an addiction, say, to alcohol or to gambling." The question he raises is simple: at what point does ordinary use slide into something that’s genuinely harming your life, sleep, focus, or relationships? Yet this isn’t a tech-bashing rant.
Rosen admits he’s "one of the biggest geeks" and doesn’t think people should ditch their devices. Instead, he offers practical ideas like a short "electronic waiting period" before hitting send, plus 10‑minute brain resets every couple of hours – a walk, music, chat, or meditation, anything away from screens. If you’ve ever reached for your phone without knowing why, this episode might nudge you to ask: who’s really in charge – you, or your device?
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