Nomophobia - Fear of No Mobile Phone Contact

Nomophobia - over half of mobile phone users will suffer from this newly-labeled phobia. What is Nomophobia? What causes it - and is there a cure for Nomophobia? Mobile device users need to prepare for the times when your mobile device won't work. By learning to handle stress and anxiety, you will lower your chances of having a Nomophobic attack.

Nomophobia is short for "No Mobile Phobia" and is associated with very real feelings of anxiety and panic when ones cell phone won't work. Apparently, a study on Nomophobia was done in the UK and it was decided that 53% of mobile device users will suffer from Nomophobic symptoms.

Common Causes of Nomophobia

Any situation that can cause a loss of the use of ones mobile device is a situation that can bring about the anxious symptoms of Nomophobia. Situations such as:

-- Low battery charge with no way to charge your cell phone

-- A "No Cell Phones" sign

-- No signal strength on mobile device

-- A broken or malfunctioning cell phone

-- Lost cell phone

-- Just the THOUGHT of potentially losing mobile device

-- Stolen cell phone of fear of it being stolen

-- Any situation that causes you to not be able to use your mobile device.

Symptoms of Nomophobia

Many interviewed cell phone users expressed deep attachment to their mobile device. Just the sheer thought of not having that communication device available to them caused feelings that are commonly associated with anxiety and panic. Those interviewed said they felt panic, a knot in their stomach, general agitation, and feelings also common of depression.

Why do we fear the loss of our communication devices?

Fact is, many are overly reliant on their cell phones. Within the memory card of most mobile devices, we store phone numbers, contact email addresses, our date books marking important events and meetings, and photos. Fact is, some of us don't even know our home phone number without using our mobile device to 'phone home'.

Nomophobia is very real in todays society. Think about how often you see a group full of people gathered together - and each is talking on their cell phone to someone else! Think about how many people you know that use to their cell phone to the extent that the alarm is the only way they would get up each morning.

Cell phones are more than a necessity these days - they are also a large part of consumers social lives. Text messages, games, and picture sharing are a large contributor to the entertainment aspect of many lives. The sudden withdrawal of the necessary functions of cell phones AND the entertainment value is the basis of Nomophobia.

While trendy buzz words for various phobias are invented each day, Nomophobics know that this phobia is very, very real. Nomophobia has been on the news and shown many consumers being interviewed about their attachment to their cell phones and other mobile devices. Very few mention no feelings of panic associated with the thought of loss of their cell phone.

Once, having a cell phone was a luxury - nowadays, it appears to be a necessity. Those that suffer from Nomophobia will be the first to point that out.