More often than not, tell-tale signs of problematic internet behavior fit right in the palms of our children’s hands; glowing from screens and buzzing with notifications curated with algorithms to deliver a continuous dose of digital dopamine. From toddlers glued to tablets to preteens gaming for hours and teens scrolling endlessly for likes and validation,…

In 2003, during my shadowing experience under psychiatrists and other allied professionals in a psychiatric hospital in Nairobi, I witnessed firsthand the hidden struggles of teenagers battling “panic attacks” and “episodes”, which are commonly used by teenagers to describe severe stress that manifests through physical symptoms. Some of the teens referred for assessment were so…

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is defined as a pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), a need for constant admiration, and a lack of empathy. Research shows that narcissism exists on a spectrum, meaning not everyone with narcissistic traits has the…