Dr Manoj Kumar Sharma
National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences
He is the Coordinator of the SHUT clinic( Service for Healthy Use of Technology). It is India's first tech Deaddiction clinic. He is also a Member of the WHO expert group on addictive behaviours/Lancet advisory member on public health on gambling. His research interests are Behavioural addiction, Technology addiction, Assessments, and Intervention for its management. He wrote out awareness articles in National & International Media( BBC/Wall Street Journal etc).
Dr Manoj Kumar Sharma at the Harmonising ESG, CSR, CDR and SDGs, an India 2047 - Centre of Excellence Workshop
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Dr Manoj Kumar Sharma
National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences
Key Points
- There is growing interest in astrology and fortune-telling, especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, driven by uncertainty and health issues.
- Astrology is deeply integrated into many cultures and daily routines, such as reading newspaper horoscopes.
- The accessibility of astrology and fortune-telling has increased significantly online compared to a decade ago.
- Due to increased uncertainties and the availability of online platforms, there is a growing trend of consulting astrologers and fortune-tellers digitally.
- Astrology is presented as a scientific field, but its excessive use can lead to behavioral addictions.
- Some individuals seek Consultation to reduce the financial impacts of spending on astrological services.
- The rise in online astrological services has been significant, with some apps growing between 40% and 400%.
- Excessive use of astrology can impair day-to-day life, especially when it replaces practical solutions for stress and depression.
- Psychological stress and lack of coping mechanisms drive individuals towards astrological solutions, leading to potential financial and personal consequences.
- Paranormal beliefs and a poor understanding of randomness contribute to the excessive use of astrology.
- High-stress levels and personal crises correlate with increased interest in astrology as a quick-fix solution.
- The 5 Cs of addiction: Craving, Control, Coping, Compulsion, and Consequences. If a person meets four or more of these criteria, he may develop an astrology addiction.
Recommendations
Increase Awareness
- There's a need to raise awareness about the potential risks associated with excessive reliance on astrology and fortune-telling.
- This could be done through public health campaigns, educational programs, or workshops.
Promote Balanced Approach
- Encourage individuals to adopt a balanced approach by combining psychological principles with astrology.
- This can help them make informed decisions and avoid dependency on astrological predictions.
- Offer educational resources and training programs to help people better understand cognitive biases, randomness, and critical thinking skills.
- This could be incorporated into school curricula or adult education programmes.
Encourage Active Coping Mechanisms
- Emphasise the importance of active coping mechanisms in dealing with life stressors.
- Encourage individuals to seek practical solutions rather than relying solely on astrology for guidance.
- Develop screening tools, like the 5C criteria mentioned in the text, to identify individuals at risk of developing astrology addiction.
- Offer interventions and support services for those who exhibit signs of dependency.
Research and Literature
- Encourage further research into the psychological factors underlying astrology addiction and its impact on mental health.
- Promote the publication and dissemination of literature to enhance understanding and inform evidence-based interventions.
- Foster collaboration between mental health professionals, astrologers and community organisations to develop holistic approaches to addressing astrology addiction.
- This could involve joint workshops, referral networks or interdisciplinary research projects.
Public Policy and Regulation
- Consider the need for public policies or regulations to mitigate the potential harms associated with excessive astrology use.
- This could include guidelines for online platforms offering astrological services or regulations on advertising and marketing practices.
- Ensure that individuals struggling with astrology addiction access appropriate support and treatment services. This may involve counseling, support groups, or specialised addiction treatment programs tailored to their needs.
