What does FTAD mean in FUNNIES

FTAD stands for Facebook or Twitter Addiction Disorder, which is a condition where an individual experiences withdrawal symptoms and difficulty functioning in their daily lives due to excessive use of social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.

Those who are young, have low self-esteem, lack strong social support systems, have difficulty making real-life connections and/or may suffer from depression are more likely to be at risk of developing this disorder than others.

Warning signs include spending an excessive amount of time (more than 5 hours a day) on social media sites, neglecting activities that were formerly interesting/enjoyable, feeling agitated/anxious when unable to access social media sites or engage in activities related to social networking and experiencing difficulties concentrating or performing tasks without the presence of a smartphone or computer.

Treatment options typically include psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), medications such as antidepressants, and mindfulness-based therapies. Other treatments may include limiting access to certain websites during certain times of day or using accountability apps that track usage time and provide positive reinforcement when limits are met.

Yes, untreated FTAD can result in negative physical effects such as chronic headaches and insomnia as well as psychological effects like paranoia and extreme sadness or irritability. Problems with memory recall can also occur due to less focus being devoted to memorizing information.