Don't you feel like you've been forgetful lately, or that your memory has gotten worse?
Smartphones are an indispensable item in modern society, but excessive use can increase the risk of illness.
In recent years, smartphone dementia has been increasing, especially among people in their 30s to 50s.Smartphone dementia is a dementia whose symptoms are expected to improve, but caution is required as it may cause early onset dementia.
In this article, we will introduce the symptoms and measures of smartphone dementia.
Isn't it smartphone dementia? If you are worried about it, please use it to improve your lifestyle.
table of contents
What is smartphone dementia?
Smartphone dementia is said to be common among young people, but what are the symptoms and causes?
Symptoms of smartphone dementia
Smartphone dementia presents symptoms similar to Alzheimer's dementia due to overwork of the brain due to smartphone addiction. These symptoms are often transient and recoverable, but caution is required as there is a risk of developing early-onset dementia.
・Decrease in memory and concentration
・Distraction
・Language disorder
・Decrease in executive function
・Decline in communication skills
Decreased ability to plan and create
・Decreased motivation for life
・Poor physical condition/emotional instability
Unlike general dementia, smartphone dementia is not noticed by the surroundings. The symptoms progress without any subjective symptoms, so consciously facing the use of smartphones leads to prevention and improvement.
Causes of smartphone dementia
Smartphone dementia is caused by the cessation of the function of the prefrontal cortex, which is called the brain's command center.
Even if we don't think about it, our brain processes the news, videos, work and personal emails that we usually casually watch. However, even if each piece of information is small, when it accumulates as a task, the brain cannot process the information and falls into a state of exhaustion.
When the brain falls into an overworked state, its ability to process information declines, and the symptoms of smartphone dementia begin to appear.
Smartphone dementia checklist
Aren't you a smartphone dementia? If in doubt, follow the checklist below.
The more items that apply, the more likely you are to have smartphone dementia.
If you suspect smartphone dementia, try to review your lifestyle habits.
・Recently forgetfulness has increased
・I have no motivation or interest
・My head and body are always tired
・Insomnia, headache, dizziness, etc.
・Irritated or depressed
-Loss of concentration
・The arrangement of work and housework got worse
・Using a smartphone during free time
・Looking at the smartphone before going to bed
・The smartphone usage time is long even on the go
・I can't reach my destination without a smartphone
・ Take pictures of things you want to remember with your smartphone
・Recently I can't write kanji
Countermeasures against smartphone dementia
Smartphone dementia is a condition that can occur in anyone who uses a smartphone on a daily basis. It is difficult not to use smartphones at all in modern society, but it is important to take measures to prevent smartphone dementia.
do a digital detox
Do you touch your smartphone while eating, before going to bed, or in the bathroom?
If you find yourself reaching for your smartphone, we recommend a digital detox where you don't touch your smartphone for a certain period of time.
You can check the usage time and usage status of the smartphone on the setting screen of the smartphone.
Let's take this opportunity to reconsider the purpose and frequency of use of smartphones.
Make time to not touch your smartphone
In order not to get smartphone dementia, you need time to rest your brain.
Even while casually looking at the information displayed on the smartphone, the brain does not rest and fatigue accumulates.
Make time to not look at your smartphone as much as possible and create a state where your brain can refresh.
Don't rely too much on your smartphone
In modern times, it is common to search on smartphones for questions.
However, if you continue to do so, the opportunities to think with your head will decrease, and the risk of smartphone dementia will increase.
Think deeply about your question, look it up in a book or dictionary, ask someone else, etc. Try to find a solution without using the search function on your smartphone.
increase direct communication
Direct communication with people promotes brain activation and prevents smartphone dementia.
The message function on your smartphone is convenient, but why not meet up with your family and friends once in a while and have a conversation?
Smartphone dementia summary
In this article, we introduced smartphone dementia.
・Smartphone dementia has symptoms similar to Alzheimer's dementia
・Symptoms of smartphone dementia are similar to Alzheimer's dementia
・The cause of smartphone dementia is a decline in processing ability due to brain overwork.
・ Keeping a distance from smartphones leads to countermeasures against smartphone dementia
If you have a knot that you can think of by looking at the symptoms and checklist, please try to take a break from your smartphone and give your brain a break.
Supervision: Dr. Yasushi Tsuda