THE IMPACT OF EXCESSIVE SMARTPHONE USE ON MENTAL HEALTH: CIRCADIAN DISRUPTION, NEUROCHEMICAL DYSREGULATION, AND PSYCHIATRIC OUTCOMES

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of smartphone usage on mental health, focusing on anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances. Global statistics indicate that 95% of adolescents in developed countries own smartphones, with average daily screen time reaching 5–7 hours. Excessive smartphone use may disrupt neurochemical balance, increase stress responses, and affect circadian rhythms. Analysis of 15 peer-reviewed studies shows correlations between high screen time and psychological disturbances, highlighting the need for preventive strategies and clinical awareness in psychiatry. The study also examines the paradox of digital dependency in an era where technology leaders themselves restrict their children's access to screens.