Real Health Podcast: The Phone Addiction Episode with Psychotherapist Hilda Burke

On this week’s episode of Real Health, we look at phone use and when it can negatively impact our lives.

ith everyday tasks and communications that depend more than ever on smart devices, how can you tell when normal usage has slipped into dangerous territory?

To discuss this I join Hilda Burke, psychotherapist and author of the Phone Addiction Workbook.

Hilda says that although phone addiction hasn’t been officially recognized as an addiction, those who use their devices frequently can show signs of addictive behavior: “There are some of the hallmarks of addiction in heavy phone users… it’s that kind of thing when I get the hit.” don’t get how disturbed do i feel? How nervous do I feel about being without her overnight or during the day?”

Hilda explains that a key indicator of addiction is when someone begins to value the substance over things we would value most in our lives: “You go to the nearest playground and you often see a mom or dad looking at their device . The kid can hang upside down and break their neck, but what’s on the phone is more important.”

We also discuss what phone use does to your brain, why it can be a highly addictive activity, and some ways you can break the cycle of overuse.

For more episodes, tips and advice from the show, just click here.

And you can contact me – I’m @KarlHenryPT on Instagram and realhealth@independent.ie.

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The Real Health Podcast is in partnership with Laya Healthcare.