Mumbai, February 7: Nomophobia, often referred to as 'NO MObile PHone PhoBIA', is a fear of being without a 'working' mobile phone. In this digital age, due to excessive use of social media, gaming and the internet, phone addiction has become the most common issue plaguing the generation. More people now rely on the smartphone for businesses, schooling, news updates and other purposes.   

From younger kids to older people, smartphone usage has drastically increased for more than just calling. When people cannot use their mobile phones due to reasons like battery drain, no network signal, or simply not having them with them, it causes  anxiety and fear among them, causing "Nomophobia." How To Protect Your Phone From Hackers? Learn Best Ways To Prevent Mobile Malware Attacks Leading to Financial Losses and Data Leaks.

What Is Nomophobia? Why Do People Feel Afraid of Not Having Smartphones With Them?

Nomophobia is a psychological condition, a disconnection syndrome, in which people fear being detached from mobile connectivity. It is primarily caused by the overuse of the internet. Smartphones have become an integral part of humans' lives for establishing remote communication, social interactions, entertainment, work, photography, education, and a better lifestyle. Now, with AI (artificial intelligence) on the rise, users can manage their tasks better and improve their overall productivity but it glues their eyes more to the screen. 

People check notifications of the latest news around the world, create memories with photos and videos and edit them, make audio and video calls regardless of distances, listen to music, watch movies and shows, read books and complete assignments, Moreover, they can stay connected with friends and family and do almost all the things that give modern life a meaning. However, when they cannot use their devices for only one day or let alone for one hour, they feel detached, lonely and insecure.

Causes of Nomophobia

Addiction to the internet and social is the biggest cause of nomophobia. Humans now rely more on smartphones for various aspects of their lives because they are considered as all-in-one tools. However, too much usage of anything leads to side effects. In nomophobia, FOMO (fear of missing out) plays an important part and makes the users feel like they have lost something significant when they don't use their mobile phones.

Personal insecurity is yet another reason for feeling nomophobia. Young people, including Gen Z and Gen Alpha, have become totally dependent on their mobile devices for social connections, education, and personal use. This very feeling of dependence causes'no mobile phone phobia' and they feel the need to stay connected most of the time with their smartphones.

Symptoms of Nomophobia

People who suffer from 'no mobile phone phobia' experience a range of symptoms when they are unable to access their devices. They may need to constantly check their smartphones many times and feel uneasy when they cannot. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the United States and other leading institutions have listed some of the key symptoms or signs of NOMOPHOBIA. They are,

  • Anxiety

  • Trembling

  • Perspiration

  • Tachycardia (heart rate increasing over 100 bpm)

  • Agitation

  • Respiratory alterations or changes in the breathing

  • Panic Attack

Prevention from Nomophobia

To prevent oneself from nomophobia, they must control phone usage. Excessive smartphone usage for gaming, entertainment and work will make users dependent on it. Doctors suggest limiting the screen usage to an hour or two before going to sleep. This helps in reducing the anxiety and minimise the dependency on the smartphones. The users can also engage in physical activities like exercising, talking to others in person, playing sports, or engaging in outdoor hobbies to break away from phone addiction. They can prioritise other things in life, such as setting goals, socialising and attending physical events. What Is Smartphone Vision Syndrome? Know All About Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and How To Protect Eyes.

Treatments of Nomophobia

The smartphone addict can treat nomophobia by following methods suggested by leading medical institutions,

  • Consult doctors, get diagnosed and take prescribed medications

  • Go for cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)

  • Join support groups of like-minded people

  • Get Emotion-focused therapy 

  • Talk to others about it, get help 

  • Adopt exposure therapy

All of these treatments and remedies can help you break away from phone addictions. However, you need to take preventive measures yourself Nomophobia can pose a risk of mental health problems.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 07, 2025 07:02 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).