Over the past decade, mobile phone usage has continued to skyrocket, especially after the advent of smartphones. There is no denying that these smart devices have become an important part of modern life. And because of this, a phobia called nomophobia quickly emerged.
The COVID-19 pandemic is a major driver of the increase in mobile phone use as people are not allowed to leave their homes and rely on phones for communication, entertainment and information.
And as the old saying goes, “Too much of anything is not good”. This has also been true for smartphones. Nomophobia affects all ages, but has become common among teenagers.
So what exactly is nomophobia? Can it be treated? Let’s see!
What is nomophobia?
A 2019 article in the Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care describes it as “MOTION SERVER appeared as a threat to us “social, mental as well as physical health.”
The term nomophobia is derived from the claustrophobia of the absence of cell phones and is a psychological condition in which people experience extreme, irrational and overwhelming fear of not having a cell phone.
It identifies the fear people experience when their cell phone is not able to perform the basic functions for which it was designed.
This fear can be caused by many factors, such as lack of network signal, weak signal, running out of battery, or forgetting your phone at home or at work.
People are more likely to regularly check their phones for messages or notifications, and it may be difficult to concentrate or sleep when they’re not using their phones.
It mainly affects individuals who rely heavily on technology in their daily activities. This phobia is not listed in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
The DSM-5 is a guide published by the American Psychiatric Association that lists all mental disorders recognized by the medical community. However, there is growing evidence that nomophobia is a mental health problem.
According to a 2016 study, it can be classified as a “Smartphone Addiction Disorder.” Furthermore, researchers have been proposing to include them in the DSM-5 for many years.
Not only that, there are many terms associated with nomophobia such as:
- Fear of Ringing: A common phenomenon when people feel their phone ring or vibrate and it turns out to be a false alarm.
- Phonoanxiety: This is also known as telephobia as people tend to avoid talking on the phone.
- Lying: Refers to skipping face-to-face conversations with others and focusing solely on your smartphone.
When was Nomophobia discovered?
The term nomophobia was first coined in 2008 by the UK Post, which commissioned UK research agency YouGov to study the anxiety levels of mobile phone users.
It was conducted in a survey of 2,163 adults in the UK and is believed to be “fear of losing contact via cell phone.” The researchers found that 53% of them experienced symptoms of nomophobia, such as anxiety, panic attacks, and difficulty concentrating without their phones.
Post office “telecom specialist”Stewart Fox-Mills says:
“Nomophobia is too real for many people.
“We are all familiar with stressful situations in everyday life, such as moving house, breaking up and celebrating Christmas with the family.
But it seems the lack of mobile communication could be the latest 21st century contribution to our already busy lives.”
What is the cause of nomophobia?
The exact cause of nomadism is unknown, but a 2020 study published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior has found that “Interpersonal sensitivities, phobias, and number of hours of smartphone use per day are strong predictors of nomophobia.”
The study also found that “Social threat is the causal pathway by which nomophobia leads to negative consequences, especially stress.”
How many people have nomophobia?
A recent survey conducted by Counterpoint Research in collaboration with OPPO showed this “72% of smartphone users in India worry about low battery.”
The study was divided into feelings of discomfort caused by low battery anxiety, and six categories were named:
- “Anxiety/Anxiety”
- “Turn off”
- “impotent”
- “Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)”
- “Worry”
- “uncertain”
28% of respondents chose the first option, while 90% of users said they feel more worried about low battery levels when their phone’s battery level is between 30% and 50%, compared to when the battery is between 0% and 30%.
The survey found that 40% of respondents use their smartphones in the morning, as soon as they wake up, and last thing before going to bed.
In addition, 42% of respondents use their devices for entertainment, with social networking being the most popular activity.
87% of respondents use their phones while charging and 2/3 of respondents use their phones even while spending time with family or work/study.
Research director Tarun Pathak commented on the statement of concern about low battery “We carry the world in our pockets via smartphones. From entertainment to formal work to connecting with others, smartphones do almost everything for us.
“As a result, people have developed an obsession with not being able to use their phones. Furthermore, since social media is the main activity for which smartphones are used, people have a fear of missing out on things around them.
“Because of this, most people keep looking for opportunities to charge their batteries and end up feeling anxious and worried about running out of battery and not being able to use their smartphones. Anxiety about low battery is highest in the 31-40 working age group, followed by the 25-30 age group.”
Senior analyst Arushi Chawla said “NoMoPhobia forces people to decide their charging style accordingly. It’s interesting to note that most people depend on their device’s built-in options like power saving mode to ensure longer battery life every day.
“Also, due to people’s phone addiction, many people (65%) are limiting their phone usage to save battery life for more important times, while 82% are reducing their use of apps. social media like Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook to save battery.
“So the battery is the most important factor when buying a smartphone. 60% of respondents are likely to replace their current smartphone for better battery performance.”
What are the symptoms of nomophobia?
Nomophobia creates stress and here are some symptoms that may indicate signs of a phobia:
Anxiety: People with nomophobia may feel anxious, restless, or irritable when they are unable to use their phones.
Stress: People with nomophobia may feel stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed when they are unable to use their phones.
Irritability: People with nomophobia can easily become irritable or annoyed when they are unable to use their phones.
Physical symptoms: People with nomophobia may experience physical symptoms such as sweating, shaking, and rapid heartbeat when unable to use their phones.
What are the ways to prevent nomophobia?
Nomophobia or the fear of not having a cell phone is not a medical condition. However, this can be prevented by following some detox strategies. And people in the US are also trying to limit the time they use their devices.
According to CNBC, sales of feature-packed flip phones have surged in 2022, with tens of thousands of units sold each month. At the same time, HMD’s global feature phone sales have declined, according to the company.
GenZ is back with high-end dumb phones just to cut down on their device time.
Additionally, you can follow these simple steps to reduce your risk of nomadism:
- Set limits on cell phone usage
- Find other activities to take up your time
- Be careful when using your phone
Categories: Trends
Source: newstars.edu.vn