Nomophobia

The dread of being without your cell phone is known as nomophobia. Nomophobic people are extremely anxious about not having their phone with them, having a low battery, or having their phone go out of service. People with nomophobia get scared and have acute anxiety symptoms when they are unable to use their phone, regardless of the circumstances.

This uncommon fear is frequently the result of a cell phone addiction. People suffering from this phobia may check their phones incessantly throughout the day, fearing they may miss out on communication with loved ones. While nomophobia is considered an uncommon phobia, mobile phone addiction appears to be rather frequent. According to recent studies, over half of both men and women are anxious about their cell phones. According to one survey, 23% of male students were identified as nomophobic, and nearly 77% checked their cell phones more than 35 times each day. A group in Italy has proposed that nomophobia be classified as a separate phobia.

Cognitive behavioral therapy appears to be successful by rewarding autonomous behavior independent of technology factors; nevertheless, randomized trials are lacking for this type of treatment. Another treatment option is "Reality Approach", or Reality therapy, which asks patients to redirect their actions away from cell phones. Neuropsychopharmacology, ranging from benzodiazepines to antidepressants at standard dosages, may be beneficial in extreme or severe conditions. Tranylcypromine and clonazepam were also used successfully to treat patients. It is crucial to remember, however, that these drugs were developed to treat social anxiety disorder rather than nomophobia. Nomophobia may be difficult to treat directly, but it is more likely to explore, diagnose, and treat any underlying mental illnesses, if any exist.