Hooked on Facebook

PETALING JAYA: If you prefer to interact on Facebook rather than have a normal conversation, you could be suffering from a psychological disorder, an expert warned.

Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur neuro-psychologist Dr Nivashinie Mohan said that Facebook Addiction Disorder (FAD) continues to go undetected because most addicts do not realise or want to admit that they have a problem.

With Malaysians spending more hours and having the most number of friends on Facebook, many had become addicted to it, she said.

“A lot of people do not see it as a real problem because they don't think it is as harmful as addiction to tobacco or drugs.

“But it is a problem that needs to be treated like any other addiction that prevents you from going on with your daily activities,” she said, adding that the disorder could cause anxiety and depression.

The disorder term FAD was coined by American psychologists to describe the addiction to Facebook.

Dr Nivashinie said that Facebook addicts had difficulty carrying on a normal conversation with people as they preferred to “poke”, “like” or comment on what their friends posted on the website.

She said the addicts felt the need to be connected to their Facebook friends all the time.

“They fear that they may miss out on something important if they don't constantly check the website,” she added.

On average, Dr Nivashinie said people spent about an hour each day on the website.

“But if you are cancelling plans with friends and family so you can spend the time on Facebook, it is a clear sign that you are addicted,” she said.

She added that addicts usually lost interest in school or were not productive at work because they were constantly on the website.

Stressing that the problem could be very serious, she said: “Sometimes these addicts don't even enjoy logging on to Facebook. They just feel they have to.

“Some people even break into cold sweat at the thought of not going on Facebook for a day or two. And they feel depressed when nobody communicates with them or responds to something they posted on the website.”

To overcome the disorder, she said addicts must first acknowledge that they have a problem.

“It may not be possible for them to quit Facebook immediately or completely,” Dr Nivashinie said. “They can begin by reducing and limiting the hours they spend on the website daily.”