Digital Burnout and Attention Collapse: A Review of Cross-Cultural Psychological Synthesis

This review employs a comparative integrative methodology to redefine digital burnout. It views the condition not as a behavioural issue, but as a structural failure of attention caused by hyper-connectivity. The study synthesises Kaplan’s Attention Restoration Theory (ART) with Indian metaphysical concepts of the Trigunas (Three Modes of Nature) and Chitta (Mind-stuff). A novel taxonomy maps executive depletion to the loss of Tejas (mental fire) and Prana (vital energy). The paper proposes a three-phase model of cognitive collapse. Phase I begins with Rajasic hyper-arousal. Here, algorithmic rewards trigger dopamine loops, mimicking mental agitation of Vikshepa. Phase II marks a critical transition point. Rapid context switching drains cognitive resources, destroying Sattvic quality of clarity. Phase III terminates in Tamasic inertia. This state represents a defensive neurological shutdown. Behaviourally, this manifests as social indifference. The brain deactivates empathy to conserve scarce metabolic energy. Consequently, the review argues that abstinence-based digital detox is insufficient. It often fails to address internal mental fluctuations. Instead, recovery requires Sensory Gating (Pratyahara) to actively filter inputs. The study proposes a restorative protocol combining passive nature exposure with active meditation (Dhyana). This restores cognitive vitality, offering a robust framework for understanding the erosion of civic duty in the digital age.