The temptation to check wall posts, comments, private massages and ‘likes’ on Facebook is apparently all too strong to resist as young people spend more time than ever interacting on social networking sites instead of living their lives.
Worrying new stats from Boost Mobile show that young Aussies often check their Facebook accounts up to 50 times a day. With immediate access from smartphones, it’s become easier than ever to log on, check messages and then log off in just a few seconds.
It seems University, work and real-life socialising are being put on hold in favour of posting pictures, updating statuses and stalking exes.
One self-confessed Facebook addict Natalie, 22, said: “It started when I broke up with my boyfriend. I began checking his Facebook page ALL the time. I’d look through his photos and even if he was innocently standing with a girl at university, I’d stalk her page to find out everything I could about her.”
Soon, Natalie found it difficult to concentrate on work and even stopped engaging with her friends and family.
She quickly realised she needed help and a friend immediately recommended a hypnotherapist who had helped her give up smoking.
Although Natalie found it difficult at first, she soon began to wean herself off the social networking site.
Hypnotherapists work by inducing a natural state of deep relaxation before uttering positive suggestions to help clients develop new ways of thinking.
Hypnotherapist William Bullock is one of the few therapists in Australia offering specific treatment for social media addiction.
He says Facebook becomes addictive when it becomes a familiar part of life. When it disappears, people suffer feelings of withdrawal, loss and inadequacy.
Natalie now hopes one day she’ll be able to use Facebook again without relying on it for a feeling of stimulation and belonging.
To find out more about how hypnotherapy can help, please visit our Internet Addiction page.
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