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Nomophobia is a neurotic disorder of the 21st century. Nomophobia affects cell phone users who are too afraid of losing access to them. Read what exactly is nomophobia and check in our gallery if you notice its symptoms in your behavior!
Contents:
- Nomophobia: what is it?
- Nomophobia: symptoms
- Nomophobia: treatment
Nomophobiais an abbreviation of "no mobile phone phobia", which means fear of not being able to use a mobile phone.
Nomophobia: what is it?
Research on the influence of mobile phones on our lives has been conducted almost as long as the phones themselves have become widely used. In 2008, the Royal Mail commissioned a survey1among the British, which showed that 53% feel anxious when they do not have a phone at hand, when they lose coverage or have a low battery level. It was during this study that the term "nomophobia" was used for the first time.
He was followed by more, carried out in different countries. In 2011, a study was conducted among Polish teenagers as part of the campaign "Attention! Phono addiction" (phono addiction is addiction to the use of a mobile phone). It turned out that a day without a cell phone is something unimaginable for 36% of respondents, and every third person aged 12-19 would return home if it turned out that they forgot to take their phone with them2 .
According to GUS data, at the end of 2022, over 52.9 million SIM cards were active in Poland, and it is worth adding that currently (February 2022) our country has almost 38.5 million inhabitants. So it is not hard to notice that there are many more phones than people.
It is worth noting, however, that frequent use of a mobile phone is not synonymous with nomophobia. Many people cannot imagine that they will survive even a day without it, they willingly use applications or messengers. And let's not forget about the Internet - it devours a large part of the time we spend on the phone. It provides us with access to social media, favorite pages, the ability to search (more or less) useful information.
We hang on the phone at home, but also at work, public transport. We usehim in bed and in the toilet. Still, we don't have to suffer from nomophobia.
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Nomophobia: symptoms
There is a reason in "nomophobia" that there is a part of "phobia". Although most of us are afraid of losing contact with the world / other people, which is possible thanks to the mobile phone, we really realize that depriving us of access to it, losing it for a few days, discharged battery are not a problem that cannot be de alt with.
We will not be satisfied, but we will wait, we will find another source of contact with loved ones - e.g. we will inform you that we will be available by phone, e-mail or simply for some time we will not be contacted.
A person with nomophobia reacts differently. For her, the lack of a cell phone and the mere thought of having access to it cut off is the proverbial end of the world. In people with phobias, the fear of losing a cell is so strong that it prevents normal daily functioning.
The very thought of losing access to the phone or the occurrence of such an event causes a person with nomophobia to experience dizziness, shortness of breath, increased heart rate, nausea, hyperhidrosis.
Importantly, a person with nomophobia knows that their fears are irrational, but cannot deal with them.
More symptoms, characteristic not of the phobia itself, but more specifically of nomophobia, can be found in the attached gallery. Check if you recognize its symptoms.
Nomophobia: treatment
First of all, it is worth checking if we really suffer from nomophobia - when we find that this problem applies to us, it is worth going to a psychologist or psychotherapist.
In the case of nomophobia and phonoholism, as well as other behavioral addictions, participation in support groups for people struggling with the same problem works great.
If we do not want to share our emotions with others, it is worth trying individual cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Digital detox is also recommended - giving up, first in a limited form, access to the phone and devoting this time to e.g. physical activity or using relaxation methods, e.g. autogenic Schultz training or yoga, meditation, reading a book.
However, such independent attempts, without the therapist's support, will not always bring the expected result.
Sources:
1. https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5012&context=etd [accessed fromon February 12, 2019]
2. http://www.uzalezieniabehawioralne.pl/raporty-z-badan/fonoholizm-skala-zjawiska-wsrod-polskich-nastolatkow/ [accessed on February 12, 2019]