Screen Trauma – Specifics of the Disorder and Therapy in Adults and Children

Screen addiction has been widely recognized as a condition that disrupts cognitive, emotional, and physiological functioning, with severe implications for the brain and autonomic nervous system (ANS). However, the long-term effects of screen addiction extend beyond addiction itself, leading to persistent neurophysiological impairments collectively referred to as screen trauma. This study explores screen trauma as a distinct phenomenon, characterized by cortical fragmentation, autonomic dysregulation, and maladaptive brain functioning that does not resolve through screen detox alone. Using quantitative EEG (qEEG) and ANS assessments, the study categorizes individuals into four groups: those without markers of screen addiction or trauma, those with screen addiction alone, those with screen trauma alone, and those with both conditions. Findings indicate that screen trauma results in rigid, non-adaptive brain functioning, making affected individuals highly vulnerable to life stressors and prone to psychological and physiological breakdowns. A key contribution of this study is the introduction of euthymic screen time (EST) and hedonic screen time (HST) as distinct digital engagement patterns. EST, associated with work and learning, does not contribute to addiction, while HST, driven by dopamine-seeking behaviors, fosters screen addiction and its neurophysiological consequences. Prolonged HST exposure leads to screen aadiction and screen trauma, where seeking behaviors migrate from screen environments to other compulsive activities. The study also highlights that children develop screen trauma much more rapidly than adults, leading to severe cortical dissociation, sensory-motor disintegration, and major developmental disorders, including autism-like symptoms. The earlier screen exposure begins, the more profound and irreversible the effects. Lastly, the study examines therapy strategies, showing that screen detox alone is insufficient for recovery. Instead, a multimodal biofeedback approach is necessary to restore cognitive flexibility, emotional regulation, and autonomic stability in adults. These findings emphasize the urgent need for early intervention and preventive strategies to mitigate the long-term impact of screen addiction and screen trauma. Keywords: screen trauma, screen addiction, qEEG biomarkers, seeking, hedonic screen time