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Mar 23, 20234 min read

Disconnected in a Connected World: The Rise of Nomophobia and its Implications





Etiology and history of Nomophobia

As technology became a big part of our lives, a new companion appeared, the smartphone.


Back then, people mostly used their phones for texting and calling. But now, modern cell phones are capable of so much more. They can help us connect with friends, meet new people, and even shop for groceries. It is easy to rely on them all the time.


But sometimes, relying too much on our phones can be a bad thing. It can turn them into a foe instead of a friend. This can lead to a phobia called “nomophobia".


Oddly enough, those who struggle with social anxiety are more prone to fear being without their phone. This was discovered after the startling finding of a study designed to explore nomophobia. To have a better understanding of this study, we must first define the symptoms in order to recognise the pattern and understand how it relates to anxiety.


Are you Nomophobic?


The term "nomophobia” is a neologism abbreviated from the combination of 'no’, ‘mobile phone’, and 'phobia’. It refers to a psychological condition in which people feel anxious when they do not have their phones with them. The main presenting symptom of nomophobia, despite the fact that it has multiple indications and symptoms, is anxiety.


This anxiety can be induced by many factors, such as not being able to find your phone, having no connection, or even having a dead battery. This can make other underlying types of anxiety worse too, because phones can help people feel less anxious. When nomophobics do not have their phones, they feel more anxious than usual resulting in the emergence of new types of anxiety. People with nomophobia are characterized by compulsive use of their phones. Sometimes they will just unlock their phones without anything on their mind.


In addition to emotional and cognitive symptoms, people may also experience physical symptoms. People might breathe faster, their heart rate may increase, sweat more, and shake or tremble. They may also begin to feel weak or dizzy. In severe cases, these fear symptoms can escalate into a panic attack.


Other related physical symptoms can include the musculoskeletal system. Using your phone a lot can cause soreness in your elbows, hands, neck, and back. This is because people often hunch over their phone when they use it for a long time.


Is it an anxiety disorder or a phobia?


Even though “phobia” is in the name, the nomenclature is not all the way true to its definition. To explain that contradiction we would first have to navigate the fine line between anxiety disorders and phobia.


According to the DSM-V anxiety can be defined as “the anticipation of future threats” and is associated with “muscle tension and vigilance in preparation for future danger and cautious or avoidant behavior” whereas phobia, or more simply fear, is “the emotional response to real or perceived imminent threat” and is associated with “surges of autonomic arousal necessary for fight or flight, thoughts of immediate danger and escape behavior”.


In other words, anxiety is closely tied to “what if” scenarios, whereas phobia is a primal instinct of immediate danger.

Keeping these definitions in mind, it becomes evident that nomophobia is more of an anxiety-related distress than fear. People with this condition avoid situations that would lead them to be without their phone or internet connection, which results in a long list of symptoms very similar to those of general anxiety disorder. However, some psychologists would argue the opposite claiming that nomophobia may be an “irrational fear with no basis.”


Breaking down the numbers: understanding the magnitude of this issue



It is important to note that while many people report feeling anxiety or fear about being without their phones, nomophobia is not officially recognized as a disorder by the World Health Organization.


According to a study commissioned by the UK Postal Office in 2008, almost 53% of people who owned a mobile phone were anxious when they did not have access to their phones. Needless to say, this was in 2008 before smartphones were as popular and essential as they are today.


A study among Egyptian medical residents found that 100% of participants experienced nomophobia and anxiety, with over half having moderate nomophobia and 73% having mild anxiety. The study also showed a correlation between nomophobia and poor doctor-patient relationships, with the severity of nomophobia varying by specialty.


A later stage of nomophobia may eventually result in loneliness, anxiety, and depression. Long-term phone use can also cause physical side effects like headaches and eye discomfort.


Whether mild or severe, nomophobia demonstrates that while new technology can facilitate our lives, it can also enslave us.


Treatment of Nomophobia


One of the major non-drug addictions of the twenty-first century is nomophobia, or phone addiction. It is important that we handle this addiction with care.


Currently, treatment options for nomophobia are fairly limited as the condition is still a relatively new concept. However, a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy and medication has shown great promise in treating the symptoms of nomophobia.


Cognitive-behavioral therapy for treating nomophobia involves encouraging the patient to engage in behaviors such as gardening, painting or playing, which serve as a distraction from mobile phone use. In more severe cases, benzodiazepines and antidepressants may be required to manage the symptoms. It is worth mentioning that these medications are not specifically formulated to treat nomophobia but rather typically for managing anxiety and depression symptoms.


Nomophobes in the extreme phases require rehabilitation therapy to help them deal with anxiety and depression. Once their immediate health and safety needs have been addressed, a psychosocial assessment should be conducted using existing psychometric tools. To ensure proper psychological rehabilitation, counseling and parental care are essential. Supportive and non-offending parents or caregivers should be available to provide care. Counselors can help victims learn skills for managing anxiety and stress while parents can be taught these skills as well.


Let us remember to use our phones wisely and not let them control our lives!




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