If you have thousands of photos on your phone that you have to sift through to find what you need, or if you’re reluctant to delete anything, even unread emails, you may be suffering from a mental illness. Experts warn that this phenomenon called digital hoarding may be related to obsessive-compulsive disorder. , there are simple ways to get rid of this digital clutter.
Hoarding disorder is often associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which millions of people around the world suffer from. This mental illness is characterized by persistent problems keeping possessions even if they have little or no value. However, according to experts, it will break down it can also be associated with hoarding in the digital environment, which is the morbid collection of files such as e-mails, photos, documents or meme images.
They point out that the smartphone user feels emotionally attached to this data, and trying to clean it up or delete it can lead to stress and anxiety. “It is related to the fear that we will need this information at some point in the future, but we will not have access to them,” said Emanuel Maidenberg, a professor of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences at the University of California, Los Angeles.
How do you know you have a problem? Researchers identified four types of digital collectors:
- Collectors who they have a well-organized file system and don’t get overwhelmed easily.
- Casual collectors who they don’t want to store unnecessary data, but they don’t know how to deal with it.
- Collectors who they keep the data due to the influence of the environment and have no personal ties to them.
- Collectors who are you they keep the files in case they need them later. It is this group that is associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Hoarding is associated with manifestations of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
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Experts have revealed three tips for managing and removing digital clutter from your life:
Limit irrelevant information
that the average smartphone user has around 80 apps installed on their phone, but only uses 30 of them per month. Therefore, experts recommend that you remove unused programs and clear your inbox full of unread or unimportant emails.
Setting limits to maintain mental health
The average person spends several hours a day on the Internet. Therefore, experts recommend limiting the use of social networks and opt instead for a so-called digital detox, which can reduce stress, improve focus and even improve sleep.
Daily cleaning
Susan Albers, a psychologist at the Cleveland Clinic, recommends spending a few minutes every morning clearing emails, messages, and other notifications. Storing only what is absolutely necessary, according to her it can help people feel less overwhelmed by digital content.
