Teenagers excessive screen time has been linked to the onset of manic symptoms

Research suggests that social media, video games and texting can contribute to the development of manic symptoms in early adolescence, highlighting the need for targeted intervention.

A recent study published in the journal Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology explores the link between excessive screen time and manic symptoms in early adolescence.

Current estimates suggest that the average adolescent in the United States spends more than eight hours a day behind screens, nearly double the amount of time spent before the 2019 coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). The increase in screen time among teens has been accompanied by an increase in mental health issues, with around 29% of American youth now experiencing mental health problems.

Despite these observations, the relationship between manic symptoms and screen time in adolescence remains unclear. Manic symptoms include feeling a surge of energy, an elevated or irritable mood, excessive self-esteem, need for sleep, easy distractibility, impulsive behavior, jumping from one topic to another, stubbornness, and an excessive preoccupation with pleasurable activities.

Bipolar spectrum disorders (BSD), which often begin in adolescence, are diagnosed on the basis of manic and hypomanic episodes. Early onset of RBS is associated with a worse prognosis and greater severity of symptoms.

BSD most likely begins with an increased sensitivity to goal-directed and rewarding activities or ideas. As a result, a person suffering from this disorder becomes overly motivated to seek rewards.

Problematic screen use in adolescents is associated with addiction-like manifestations and abnormal sensitivity to rewards.

Conversely, manic symptoms may contribute to more screen time in adolescence.

Previous studies have reported that phone-addicted adults are more likely to suffer from bipolar disorder.

In this study, researchers identified the association between screen time and manic symptoms in adolescents, and whether problematic use characterized by addiction, conflict, relapse and withdrawal contributed to this association.

The data came from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study, which involved 9,243 participants between the ages of 10 and 11. In the first year of the study, six different types of screen use were assessed via self-report, including television, video games, text messaging, watching videos, video chatting and social networking.

The analyses revealed a correlation between increased screen time and the risk of developing manic symptoms after one year. This correlation was observed for total screen time as well as time spent on social media, watching videos, text messaging and playing video games. Text messaging and social media were most strongly associated with manic symptoms, even after adjusting for influential factors.

Problematic social media use could explain 48% of the increased risk of manic symptoms, while video game use explained 58% of this risk.

Characteristic features of screen interaction, especially in social media and video games, are instant gratification and response to the user’s actions. Social media and video game platforms are designed to reinforce their use; therefore, participation in these programs results in the release of dopamine in the brain. Manic episodes are also associated with high dopamine levels, suggesting a possible common mechanism.

Sleep deprivation and irregular sleep patterns can exacerbate the symptoms of manic disorder and stimulate already activated reward circuits, exacerbating these symptoms.

The results of the study suggest that limiting screen activity among adolescents may help prevent manic symptoms that predict the onset of BSD. In addition, early detection of manic symptoms may help identify individuals who would benefit from secondary prevention.

The present study highlights the need for targeted interventions to prevent unhealthy habits and build resilience in adolescents. For example, a previous study reported that digital literacy programs in primary schools led to many changes in healthy behaviors, including a reduction in screen time.