Dr. Saiyida Tasmeera
Dr. Saiyida Tasmeera is a mental health practitioner, personal and professional development expert, master trainer, life coach, and women leadership and empowerment activist. She is highly skilled in interpersonal communication, fluent in English, Bengali, and Urdu. With a distinguished academic background in psychology, including a distinction Role of Honor from Masters till PhD Psychology, she is deeply passionate about mental health practice, trainings, teaching, and mentoring.
Dr. Tasmeera has been a visiting adjunct faculty at Gender Studies and Behavioral Sciences Departments at Fatima Jinnah Women University Rawalpindi and Institute of Space Technology Islamabad since 2012. She has also provided consulting services in areas such as management diagnostics, organizational development, diversity, gender, and inclusivity to public and private sector departments and organizations. She has conducted various training workshops for UN agencies, Red Cross organizations, British Council, WaterAid International, and Pakistan Public Sector Departments.
As a frequently invited guest speaker on TV networks like PTV, HUM News, and GEO News, Dr. Tasmeera discusses topics such as women empowerment, gender misconceptions, and gender inequality. She has achieved distinctions, scholarships and medals in her educational career of psychology.
Currently, Dr. Tasmeera is the founding director and consultant psychologist at House of Wellness (HOW), a premium residential facility and psychotherapy clinics for mental health and drug addiction treatment in Islamabad. HOW serves as a resource center for raising awareness through outreach programs and provides in-patient and outpatient care for a range of mental health issues and addiction recovery.
Prior to her role at HOW, Dr. Tasmeera worked as a counselor, designing psycho-education for wellness programs and providing international online therapy counseling. She has also been involved in group and individual therapies for organizations like WaterAid International, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and the British Council.
Earlier in her career, Dr. Tasmeera contributed to the improvement of the Postgraduate Diploma in Behavioral Sciences and Gender Studies at Fatima Jinnah Women University, where she administered training sessions on gender equality, gender dynamics, and gender-based violence.
Dr. Tasmeera's professional experience includes working as an external resource person and trainer at the National Institute of Science and Technical Education (NISTE) and as a lecturer at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU), where she contributed to postgraduate diploma courses on women empowerment, gender equality, and gender mainstreaming.
She holds a PhD in Psychology from Foundation University Islamabad, an MPhil in Psychology from Quaid i Azam University Islamabad, and an MSc in Psychology from Quaid i Azam University Islamabad.
Disconnected addiction: Unraveling the psychological depths of Compulsive Smartphone Dependency and its impact on mental well-being.
In the digital age, smartphones have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. These devices offer instant access to a multitude of information, communication platforms, and entertainment options. However, this increased connectivity has also given rise to a concerning phenomenon known as compulsive smartphone dependency, or smartphone addiction. This presentation aims to explore the psychological depths of this addiction, shedding light on its causes, consequences, and potential interventions.
Compulsive smartphone dependency can be understood as a behavioral addiction characterized by excessive and uncontrollable smartphone use that interferes with an individual's daily functioning. The American Psychological Association (APA) recognizes behavioral addictions as a legitimate concern, and smartphone addiction fits within this framework (APA, 2013). Research suggests that individuals develop a dependence on smartphones due to various factors, including social pressure, fear of missing out (FOMO), and the allure of constant stimulation and gratification (Elhai et al., 2017).
The consequences of smartphone addiction are far-reaching and can have profound effects on an individual's mental and emotional well-being. Excessive smartphone use has been associated with increased anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and decreased academic and occupational performance (Demirci et al., 2015; Elhai et al., 2017). Moreover, compulsive smartphone use can lead to social isolation, as individuals become engrossed in virtual interactions at the expense of real-life relationships (APA, 2017).
Interventions for smartphone addiction typically involve a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychoeducation, and technological interventions. CBT techniques focus on identifying and modifying maladaptive thoughts and behaviors associated with smartphone use (King et al., 2018). Psychoeducation helps individuals gain insight into the negative consequences of excessive smartphone use and develop healthier coping strategies (Panova & Carbonell, 2018). Technological interventions, such as screen time monitoring apps and notification management tools, can aid individuals in regulating their smartphone usage (Billieux et al., 2020).
In conclusion, compulsive smartphone dependency represents a significant concern in the digital age. It affects individuals' psychological well-being, interpersonal relationships, and daily functioning. By acknowledging the psychological depths of this addiction, raising awareness, and implementing appropriate interventions, society can strive to strike a healthy balance between the benefits of smartphone technology and the potential risks of excessive use.
References:
American Psychological Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). APA Publishing.
American Psychological Association. (2017). APA Dictionary of Psychology. APA Publishing.
Billieux, J., Maurage, P., Lopez-Fernandez, O., Kuss, D. J., & Griffiths, M. D. (2020). Can Disordered Mobile Phone Use Be Considered a Behavioral Addiction? An Update on Current Evidence and a Comprehensive Model for Future Research. Current Addiction Reports, 7(2), 156-168.
Demirci, K., Akgönül, M., & Akpinar, A. (2015). Relationship of smartphone use severity with sleep quality, depression, and anxiety in university students. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 4(2), 85-92.
Elhai, J. D., Dvorak, R. D., Levine, J. C., & Hall, B. J. (2017). Problematic smartphone use: A conceptual overview and systematic review of relations with anxiety and depression psychopathology. Journal of Affective Disorders, 207, 251-259.
King, D. L., Delfabbro, P. H., & Griffiths, M. D. (2018). Cognitive behavioral therapy for problematic gaming: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Mental