Worse than alcoholism.
By Dileep Thekkethil
BANGALORE: Google glass might be the best mobile navigation tool ever, but a new study has found that addiction for Google Glass might far exceed the effects caused by alcohol addiction.
A navy man who was diagnosed under Navy’s Substance Abuse and Recovery Program for alcoholism was also found to be a Google Glass maniac. According to a San Diego Doctor who treated the 31-year patient “he exhibited significant frustration and irritability related to not being able to use his Google Glass.”
The doctor also added that the 31-year-old man also had previous history of substance abuse, depression, and other various forms of dementia including Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
According to the report, the patient was using his Google glass for more than 18 hours a day since the last few months before getting admitted to hospital in September, 2013. The patient reportedly felt exalted while engaging social circles after wearing the Glass.
Google’s most talked about but controversial eye wear can display maps, shoot photos and videos, all with a touchpad which is on the sides of the frame. The device can be also controlled using the voice of the user, just like Google Now in Android phones.
Studies have found that excessive use of Google Glass can result in awareness decrease and trigger headaches.
This patient was using the device at such an excessive level that even in the absence of Google Glass, he kept on tapping the temples, where the touch pad of Google glass is located. The doctor wrote “he reported that if he had been prevented from wearing the device while at work, he would become extremely irritable and argumentative.”
Even though there are several cases of Internet addiction reported in the past, the addition involving Google Glass is the first of its kind, says the study. This is not listed as a disorder in the new edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which is the encyclopaedia of mental health professionals.
According to the abstract of the study, “individuals with IAD manifest severe emotional, social, and mental dysfunction in multiple areas of daily activities due to their problematic use of technology and the internet.”
During treatment, the patient came across with severe withdrawal symptoms, which according to him was the worst of its kind compared to the withdrawal he experienced through alcoholism.
A 30 days treatment put the patient back on track with his irritation levels reduced along with a cure for the incessant hand movement across his temple. But the doctors say he needs further treatment as he “intermittently experience dreams as if looking through the device.”