What Is Nomophobia? Know About The Fear Of Staying Without Mobile Phones

Nomophobia, or NO MObile PHOBIA, is a cluster of physical and mental symptoms that arise in a person with a mobile dependency, arising from the fear of breaking or losing the mobile.

This condition often triggers heightened anxiety in individuals.

It impairs sleep patterns thereby disturbing the circadian rhythm of the body necessary to maintain an equilibrium to carry out everyday work.

It leaves a sense of depersonalisation, where real-life connections and emotions take a back seat to digital interactions.

This fear is intrusive and makes afflicted individuals anxious if they are unable to reach the mobile even for a few minutes.

The symptoms mimic anxiety disorders, such as difficulties in breathing, trembling, disorientation, sweating, agitation etc.

They also face difficulties in decision-making and goal achievement it gets increasingly difficult.

The most common cause of nomophobia include low self-esteem and image issues.

High neuroticism and a tendency to derive validation and approval from outside force adolescent age groups into the virtual world of digital media.

This can be dealt with by helping the individual focus on other engaging but healthy/more adaptive tasks like competitive group activities, sports, and hobbies.

These substitute activities ensure that the individual experiences positive emotions while also being physically engaged.

In addition, relaxation and meditation offer better and more enduring control of the physiological and psychological aspects of anxiety that result from the condition.

Timely identification and self-control is the ultimate goal of any intervention to treat nomophobia.

Inputs by: Dr Bhagyashree Kulkarni, Dr. Meenakshi Jain and Dr. Sairaj M. Patki