- Maybe we should all put down our phones and go do something else.
Arachnophobia, claustrophobia, anatidaephobia… Phobias of all kinds are relatively common issues that people around the world struggle with.
But the thing about phobias is that they evolve with the times. For example, there wouldn’t have been any aerophobic people (that is, those scared of flying) before the advent of hot air balloons and airplanes.
With that in mind, there’s a relatively recent fear that has begun to ail people across the globe. It’s one that’s truly emblematic of the times we live in.
Ladies and gentlemen, allow us to introduce you to nomophobia — the fear of being without a smartphone.
Although nomophobia isn’t yet officially listed as a mental disorder, researchers have found that it ticks all the boxes the more traditional, medically recognized phobias do. Nomophobes experience mental distress, physical symptoms like sweating, and even dangerous conditions like difficulty breathing if they don’t have access to their smartphone.
Does that sound ridiculous to you? Well, what if we told you that according to some studies, nearly three-quarters of the population have at least moderate nomophobia — and it’s only getting more common.
That means you may not have to look far to find the nearest nomophobe. There’s a good chance it’s you.
What Is Nomophobia?
But what exactly is nomophobia? And where does that name come from?
Nomophobia’s name is a bit unusual among phobias. Their names are usually derived from Latin, with the “arachno” in arachnophobia coming from the Latin word for “spider,” for example.
But that’s not the case here. Nomophobia is a portmanteau of the phrase “no mobile phone phobia.”
Yeah, it’s not the greatest naming scheme we’ve seen.
You won’t find nomophobia in any guidelines or manuals, as it hasn’t yet been officially recognized as a medical condition. However, medical researchers have found that it corresponds with the identifying definitions laid out in the Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV).
According to studies, if a nomophobe is deprived of their precious device, they may experience any of the most common symptoms associated with established phobias, including:
- Anxiety and/or depression
- Agitation and irritability
- Disoriented mental state
- Trembling or shaking
- Breathing difficulties
- Increased heart rate
Granted, medical professionals note that if nomophobia makes it to the official phobia list, they shouldn’t start diagnosing people with it at the first sign that they’re uncomfortable without their phones.
Many underlying causes could trigger nomophobic symptoms, including social anxiety or an existing panic disorder. As such, they recommend that any possible diagnosis is made only after eliminating all other possible causes.
How Common Is Nomophobia?
Smartphones and mobile phones have become commonplace — everybody you know probably has one. As such, it shouldn’t surprise you that cases of nomophobia are also getting increasingly common.
What might surprise you is the actual numbers. When the term “nomophobia” was first coined in 2008, a study found that already back then, 53% of the population experienced at least mild nomophobic symptoms.
Those numbers have only grown since then. A 2021 study revealed that nearly 71% of the population suffered from moderate to severe nomophobia.
Meanwhile, 21% of people experience severe to extreme nomophobic symptoms. College students and people in the same age group are the worst affected, with 25% of them being severe nomophobes.
We should point out, though, that these numbers include people who might have perfectly good reasons to worry about not having their phones. For example, they might need it for work or have a sick relative whose phone is their only lifeline.
Yet, that doesn’t matter if we define things strictly by medical definitions. If putting your phone away makes you uncomfortable, you’re nomophobic.
Are You a Nomophobe?
So, with all that laid out, you might be wondering whether you are a nomophobe. Well, if we look at the statistics… Yes, it’s more likely than not that you are.
That said, researchers have developed more reliable tools to identify people suffering from nomophobia. One such study developed a self-reporting system based on simple agree/disagree statements.
The whole questionnaire is too long for us to include here. However, some examples of the statements featured in the test include:
- I would be annoyed if I could not look information up on my smartphone when I wanted to do so.
- Running out of battery on my smartphone would scare me.
- If I could not use my smartphone, I would be afraid of getting stranded somewhere.
- I would feel nervous because I would not be able to receive text messages and calls.
- If I could not check my smartphone for a while, I would feel a desire to check it.
- I would be uncomfortable because I could not stay up-to-date with social media and online networks.
- I would feel weird because I would not know what to do.
So, did you agree with these statements? Scratch that, did you read them on your smartphone?
If yes, you just might be a nomophobe.