By Dr. Amy Beth Taublieb

At the risk of sounding like an old Seinfeld monologue, have you ever noticed how every few years a new psychological diagnosis pops up that everyone claims to have? In the eighties, everyone had anxiety. Then, suddenly, it seemed like everyone was depressed. Lately, any friend, family member, or partner who irritates us is called a narcissist. And any behavior in which someone engages more than they should is labeled an addiction. Besides finding it annoying to hear people casually toss around various clinical diagnoses without proper training, it’s important to remember that falsely pathologizing each other isn’t healthy for anyone involved.

Over the past few months, the phrase “cell phone addiction” has become quite common. If a friend or family member spends too much time on their cell phone, they are often labeled as having cell phone addiction. There’s no doubt that any excessive behavior can become problematic, and cell phone use is no exception. But, are we really accurate in using the term “addiction” so loosely?

The terms addiction and dependence have clear diagnostic criteria, and anyone who has been close to someone going through an addiction understands that it is a serious, painful problem. Addictive behaviors damage relationships, responsibilities, finances, and mental health.

Indeed, some people use their cell phones excessively. However, in most cases, this overuse is a maladaptive way to cope with feelings of anxiety, insecurity, depression, isolation, or boredom. Sometimes, the behavior is like a child who gets a new toy and initially ignores all other toys to focus on it. At times, novelty can be overwhelming. The most helpful thing in such situations is to identify the root cause of the excessive cell phone use. Instead of labeling it as an addiction or obsession, focus on ways to address the underlying issue. As with anything else, once the cause is addressed, the symptoms tend to lessen and eventually disappear. This process might involve talking with the person concerned or seeking professional help.

There’s no doubt that the best approach in these situations is to identify what really bothers someone and address it.

Dr. Amy Beth Taublieb is a licensed psychologist, author, media personality, and public speaker who runs an active private practice in Western New York. She provides psychotherapy and assessments for individuals, couples, and families. Learn more and contact her directly if you have an article idea to share. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Taublieb, call 716-834-1505. More information is available at www.dramybeth.com.