Screen Held Hostage
Description
You check your phone 96 times a day. You feel anxious when it is out of reach. You lie awake at night, your mind still racing from two hours of scrolling. You have noticed that your concentration is not what it used to be, that you feel vaguely empty after spending time on social media, that something is off, but you cannot quite name it.
This book names it. And it gives you the tools to change it, starting today.
Licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Patricia A. Farrell walks you through exactly what your smartphone and social media habit is doing to your brain, your sleep, your stress hormones, and your ability to think clearly. Then she gives you a set of proven, research-backed steps that work. Not someday. Not after a week-long digital retreat. Today.
You will discover:
• Why your phone is designed to behave like a slot machine and how your brain responds
• What blue light does to your sleep and how quickly that changes when you stop
• The one free setting on your phone that makes it significantly less addictive
• Why having your phone visible, even silenced, reduces your ability to think
• How 30 fewer minutes of daily screen time measurably reduces anxiety
• Specific daily habits that begin restoring focus and mood within days
This is not a book about throwing your phone in a lake. It is a book about getting your mind back. Short, practical, and grounded in real science, written for real people.
If you have ever put your phone down and felt better, you already know this works. Now you will know why.
More details
Person
P.A. Farrell is an accomplished flash fiction author whose compelling micro-narratives have captivated readers across the literary landscape. With over forty publications in prestigious online journals and literary magazines, Farrell has established herself as a master of the abbreviated form, crafting complete worlds and complex emotions within the constraints of brief word counts.
Her expertise in flash fiction extends beyond individual pieces to comprehensive collections, where she demonstrates remarkable range and consistency in delivering powerful, bite-sized stories that linger long after the final sentence. Each collection showcases her ability to explore diverse themes, characters, and settings while maintaining the precision and impact that defines exceptional flash fiction.
Farrell's work resonates with readers who appreciate literature that delivers maximum emotional and intellectual impact in minimal space. Her stories often examine the pivotal moments that define human experience, capturing the essence of larger truths through carefully chosen details and expertly crafted prose. The breadth of her publication history speaks to both her prolific output and the consistent quality that editors and readers have come to expect from her work.
Through her continued contributions to the flash fiction genre, P.A. Farrell has become a trusted voice for readers seeking literature that respects their time while enriching their understanding of the human condition. Her collections offer the perfect opportunity to experience the full range of her storytelling abilities in a single, cohesive volume.
