'Selfitis’ - the obsessive need to post selfies - is a genuine mental

disorder, say psychologists

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'Selfitis' is a genuine mental condition, say psychologists

• Sarah Knapton

15 DECEMBER 2017 • 12:01 AM

‘Selfitis’ is a genuine mental condition and people who feel compelled to continually post pictures of themselves on social media may
need help, psychologists have warned.

The term was first coined in 2014 to describe obsessive selfie-taking in a spoof news story which suggested the American Psychiatric
Association was considering classifying it as a disorder.

Following on from the hoax, researchers at Nottingham Trent University and Thiagarajar School of Management in India decided to
investigate whether there was any truth in the phenomenon.

They have now confirmed the ‘selfitis’ does indeed exist and have even developed a ‘Selfitis Behaviour Scale’ which can be used to assess
its severity.

Dr Mark Griffiths, Distinguished Professor of Behavioural Addiction in Nottingham Trent University’s Psychology Department, said: “A
few years ago, stories appeared in the media claiming that the condition of selfitis was to be classed as a mental disorder by the
American Psychiatric Association.

“Whilst the story was revealed to be a hoax, it didn’t mean that the condition of selfitis didn’t exist. We have now appeared to confirm its
existence and developed the world’s first Selfitis Behaviour Scale to assess the condition.”
The scale, which runs from one to 100 was developed using a large number of focus groups with 200 participants to determine what
factors drove selfitis. It was scale tested using a survey of 400 participants.

Participants were based in India because the country has the most users on Facebook, as well as the highest number of deaths as a result
of trying to take selfies in dangerous locations.

The findings, published in the International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction confirmed that there are three levels of selfitis.

Borderline cases are people who take selfies at least three times a day, but do not post them on social media. Next is the ‘acute’ phase of
the disorder where the pictures are posted. In the third ‘chronic’ stage, people feel an uncontrollable urge to take photos of one’s self
round the clock, posting them more than six times a day.

Researchers found that typical ‘selfitis’ sufferers were attention seekers, often lacking in self confidence, who were hoping to boost their
social standing and feel part of a group by constantly posting images of themselves.

The team developed 20 statements which could be used to determine the severity of ‘selfitis’ by rating how much an individual agreed
with the sentiment. Examples include “I feel more popular when I post my selfies on social media” or “When I don’t take selfies, I feel
detached from my peer group.”

Dr Janarthanan Balakrishnan, a research associate from Nottingham Trent’s Department of Psychology, said: “Typically, those with the
condition suffer from a lack of self-confidence and are seeking to ‘fit in’ with those around them, and may display symptoms similar to
other potentially addictive behaviours.

“Now the existence of the condition appears to have been confirmed, it is hoped that further research will be carried out to understand
more about how and why people develop this potentially obsessive behaviour, and what can be done to help people who are the most
affected.”

An image released by Ellen DeGeneres shows actors front row from left, Jared Leto, Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, Ellen DeGeneres,
Bradley Cooper, Peter Nyongío Jr., and, second row, from left, Channing Tatum, Julia Roberts, Kevin Spacey, Brad Pitt, Lupita Nyongío
and Angelina Jolie CREDIT: ELLEN DEGENERES

Other technologically related mental health disorders which have been identified in recent years include ‘nomophobia’ the fear of not
being near a mobile phone, ‘technoference’, the constant intrusion of technology in everyday life, and ‘cyberchondria’, feeling ill after
searching online for symptoms of illness.

However Sir Simon Wessely, Professor of Psychological Medicine at King’s College London, was more skeptical about the proposed new
condition.

“The research suggests that people take selfies to improve their mood, draw attention to themselves, increase their self confidence and
connect with their environment.

“If that is true then this paper is itself an academic ‘selfie’.”

Dr Mark Salter, a spokesman for The Royal College of Psychiatrists, added: "Selfitis doesn't exist, and it shouldn't exist.

"There is a tendency to try and label a whole range of complicated and complex human behaviours with a single word. But that is
dangerous because it can give something reality where it really has none."

Questions

1) Define ‘Selfitis’ (1m)

2) What was the origin of the term ‘ Selfitis’ ? ( 2m)

3) Why was India chosen as the basis of the research on the phenomenon of ‘Selfitis’? ( 2m)

4) What symptoms were observed in people who suffer from the condition? ( 5 marks)
 5) "There is a tendency to try and label a whole range of complicated and complex human behaviours
with a single word. But that is dangerous because it can give something reality where it really has
none." Comment based on your understanding of ‘Selfitis’ from the article. (5 marks)

1. Huge transformation in school education in Delhi Source:

business-standard.com

Anuj Kumar, 16, seems to have fallen in love with his government school like never before.

A student of Class 10, Anuj says his school in east Delhi -- including teachers and the method
of teaching -- has undergone a major transformation in the last two years, ever since the Aam
Aadmi Party (AAP) government came to power in the national capital.

Teachers and a section of parents IANS spoke to at the Senior Secondary School in New
Ashok Nagar agree with the teenager.

"The ambience in the school was not at all like this till a year ago," Anuj, who has opted for
science. "Our school was earlier a rundown building, untidy and known for goondaism. All
that has changed."

Around 3,200 girls and 1,752 boys study in the school in morning and evening shifts
respectively.

The school is one of the 1,011 run by the Delhi government in the capital that have
undergone what officials and teachers say is a "revolutionary makeover", making some of
them look like private schools.

The Delhi government has revived most of its schools with new infrastructure and created an
atmosphere conducive to studies -- among several initiatives to raise the education standards.

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia last month inaugurated the national capital's
first 'Model' government school with "state-of-the-art" facilities and infrastructure.

Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya on Deendayal Upadhyaya Marg has become the first Delhi
government school to boast of audio-visual teaching aids, projectors in classrooms, besides a
swanky new building with all conveniences.

Sisodia, who also holds the education portfolio, says his government built some 8,000
schoolrooms since taking office in February 2015 and plans to add an equal number within
one-and-half years. The number of schoolrooms built so far amount to constructing some 200
new schools.

To strengthen the school infrastructure, the Delhi government has also planned 100 new
schools in the coming years.

"New classrooms are being constructed in my school. The school premises now remain more
tidy and discipline is maintained. Teachers now pay more attention to teaching," Anuj said.
"If the same pattern of education reform continues, the government schools will become
better than the private ones in future."
The Delhi government's focus on education is visible as in its two years it has allocated
maximum share of its budget to the education sector.

The government in its 2015-16 Budget allocated Rs 9,836 crore for the education sector. It
increased the spending in its 2016-17 Budget, allocating Rs 10,690 crore for education -- 23
per cent of the total Budget.

School teachers say the condition of schools in terms of infrastructure and cleanliness has
improved a lot.

"Dedication of the government to improve the condition of schools can be seen as 28 new
classrooms have been constructed in this school and more are planned," a teacher at the
school, pleading anonymity, told IANS.

Mythili Bector, Principal of the Sarvodaya Vidyalaya at Dakshinpuri Extension, concurred.

"I can see complete 180-degree change in basic infrastructure at schools, leadership
programmes for students, teacher learning training process. In every field of education, huge
transformation is done. We received tremendous support from the government in making
education better," Bector told IANS.

Last year, the Delhi government launched its "Chunauti 2018" programme which aims at
enabling students, especially of Class 9, to overcome the adverse effects of the 'No Detention'
policy and raise their ability to read.

The students in each class have been divided into two sections 'Pratibha' and 'Nistha'.
Students with overall good or average performance are kept in Pratibha, while the weaker
students are put in 'Nistha' group.

"We pay extra attention to students in the 'Nistha' group and conduct special reading classes
for them. All this exercise is part of 'Chunauti 2018' programme," a teacher at the New Ashok
Nagar school said.

"The idea behind 'Chunauti 2018' is that by the year 2018, all Class 9 students in the
academic year 2016-2017, regardless of their learning levels at this point, will be trained and
mentored to successfully appear for Class 10 examinations in 2018," he added.

Parents who came to pick their wards at the school lauded the government's work towards
improving the condition of schools and raising the standard of education.

"For the first time, PTMs (Parent Teacher Meetings) were conducted at government schools.
This not only helped establish a proper communication between parents and teachers but also
built our confidence in the school," Deepak Rastogi, whose daughter studies in Class 8 at the
Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya at New Ashok Nagar, told IANS.

Puja Singh, parent of a Class 7 girl, says her child improved after the government's initiative
of paying more attention to weaker students.

"My daughter was weak in reading text books. She was put in Nistha group and teachers paid
special attention on her reading abilities and now she is improving," she said.
"After the government conducted two mega PTMs, teachers of the school maintain proper
communication with us. They also call us to the school if attendance of my son is low. This
was not being done earlier," Raman Batham, a parent, told IANS.

Question 1: How much budget has been allocated to education by the current Delhi government? 1
mark

Question 2: What is the idea behind “Chunauti 2018”? 2 marks

Question 3: What have been the benefits of PTMs? 2 marks

Question 4: How has the Delhi Government initiative helped transform Government schools? 1mark

Question 5: "If the same pattern of education reform continues, the government schools will
become better than the private ones in future." Comment. 5 marks