Nomophobia is the fear of not having access to a mobile phone, affecting millions worldwide. Symptoms include stress, anxiety, and panic attacks. Treatment involves finding alternative communication methods and therapy for severe cases.
Nomophobia is the extreme, often illogical, fear of not having telephone or cell phone contacts. In fact, the name “nomophobia” comes from the first two letters of the words “no” and the word “mobile” plus the word “phobia”. This phobia, while relatively new compared to other phobias, is said to affect millions of people around the world.
Some people may wonder if they have nomophobia. People with the phobia can have any number of symptoms. Typically, symptoms are based on an individual’s ability or inability to use a cell phone. For example, a person might try to keep their cell phone on all the time, regardless of what other activities they might be engaged in. You may think that keeping your phone on vibrate mode is acceptable in quiet areas, such as inside a church or library.
Sometimes a person who is affected by nomophobia will also have physical or emotional symptoms. For example, one may feel stressed or anxious if he or she cannot use a cell phone. He may also be suffering from a panic attack, which can cause tightness in the chest, rapid breathing and dizziness. Symptoms typically occur when the cell phone user is forced to turn off the phone or when he or she loses cell phone coverage. Often, the person becomes agitated by the endless possibilities of what can happen to them or their loved ones while they are out of touch.
There are a few ways to treat the symptoms of nomophobia. In general, many of the treatment methods are geared towards giving more peace of mind to the person with nomophobia. Few treatment methods are geared towards treating real phobia.
In some cases, treatment involves locating other steps that can be taken if you lose your cell phone or cell phone contact. For example, you may be advised to carry a calling card that can be used on a pay phone. Additionally, the person may find it helpful to provide friends and family with a list of contact telephone numbers, such as telephone numbers for work, hotels during vacations, or even restaurants for dinner out. As a result, the person can feel more comfortable knowing that they can be contacted in case of need while they are at their destination.
Occasionally, in severe cases, a person with nomophobia might seek therapy. A therapist can set up a plan to get a person away from their need for constant cell phone contact. He can also provide interested individuals with guidance on how to prevent excessive dependence on a mobile phone in daily life.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
