Nomophobia Or Cell Phone Addiction: 6 Consequences Of Not Being Able To Disconnect

The mobile phone is, today, one of the most widely used technological devices in the world. In fact, there are currently more cell phones than people in the world. Seeing the number of cell phones that exist in the world, it is not strange to think that people are beginning to suffer from what we could call the ‘mobile phone disease’. Although a cell phone is necessary in most jobs, the reality is that many people end up suffering from so-called nomophobia or cell phone addiction.

This mobile dependency It can cause some havoc that on several occasions not even the person themselves can identify. So much so, that without underestimating this pathology at older ages, one of the most serious problems that both families and psychologists are having to face is treating nomophobia among young people between 18 and 35 years old.

What is nomophobia? Meaning

Have you ever felt afraid of not having your cell phone in your hands? The nomophobia It is about the experience of an irrational fear of being without a cell phone. Mobile phone addiction affects both adults and children and young people. Despite this, according to various studies, 77% of people between 18 and 24 years old and 68% of those between 25 and 34 years old suffer from this pathology.

Apparently, the profile of those who face the mobile dependency It is quite defined, since these are normally introverted people, with low self-esteem and who have notable deficiencies when it comes to relating to their peers, which is why they prefer to communicate via mobile phone and occupy their leisure time in this way. In most cases, people with nomophobia experience extreme fear of being left without a cell phone or being limited in its use.

Do you consider yourself addicted to mobile phones? Check it out in this nomophobia test:

Signs of having a cell phone addiction

Thus, and with the aim of detecting the nomophobia as soon as possible and begin the corresponding treatment, psychotherapists highlight the importance of detecting the symptoms of mobile addiction. In nomophobia, the symptoms can occur together or separately on various occasions.

1. Anger and aggression: The person becomes angry the moment their attention is drawn or their use of the mobile phone is restricted (in the case of minors) even if it is in situations in which it is completely coherent to do so. This may be one of the symptoms of cell phone addiction more visible by colleagues.
2. Lack of concentration: In people who suffer from this cell phone disease it is necessary to constantly repeat phrases or instructions to him, even those given directly, because he pays attention to his phone.
3. Mobile phone abuse: Abusive use of the terminal is observed, for example, in public places even when accompanied by more people, not lifting one’s head from the screen when walking down the street or not finding valid alternatives to cover one’s leisure time. . So much so that on many occasions use the mobile out of habit and not because it is required of him.
4. Interference with other activities: One of the symptoms of cell phone addiction that indicate a greater dependence on the mobile phone is when it interferes with the person’s daily activities. So much so that the telephone and its dependence can contribute to triggering sleep disorders such as insomnia or even social isolation.
5. Extreme fear: People who suffer from this ‘cell phone disease’ may even experience a feeling of extreme fear when they feel that they do not have their cell phone nearby.
6. Social problems: When there is a monkey with the cell phone, sometimes the person who suffers from it ends up using it even when they are talking to their family and loved ones. So much so that sometimes nomophobia It can harm your relationship with other people.
7. Loss of interest in other activities: The mobile addiction It has consequences in all aspects. But one of the most visible is when the person with nomophobia ends up leaving aside their hobbies and passions to be on their cell phone.
8. Suffer from FOMO: FOMO (fear of missing out) means the extreme fear of missing an event that happens on social networks.
9. Fear of being with people without their cell phone visible: Some people who suffer from cell phone addiction often have this device visible even when they are with other people together.

Each one of those mobile addiction symptoms indicate a problem with the use of this technology. Therefore, if you ask yourself “Am I addicted to my cell phone?” and you meet more than one of these characteristics, you possibly suffer from nomophobia.

Causes of cell phone addiction or nomophobia

There are some risks that increase the chances that people will end up suffering from the disease. nomophobia. Among the most common we could highlight the following.

• Use it at work: One of the most common causes of cell phone addiction or nomophobia is precisely using it at work. In most of these situations, the cell phone addiction It shows us a problem with not being able to disconnect from our work. When this type of nomophobia happens, it is vital to stop it in time before suffering from the so-called burnout syndrome.
• Excessive use of social networks: When the nomophobia It is in young people or children, the majority of cases are due to an addiction to social networks. Therefore, young people and children addicted to mobile phones must learn to value time and life outside the internet. In these cases it is vital to try to do outdoor activities or encourage people to do some hobbies outside the home.
• Social anxiety: In some cases this cell phone disease It points out the social incompetence that a person has. So much so that in order not to have to face or feel this anxiety that socializing produces, he prefers to establish relationships through his cell phone. In these cases, cell phone addiction will only make these anxiety disorders even worse.

Mobile phone addiction and its consequences

The nomophobia can lead to certain psychological effects. Many of the consequences of cell phone addictions can lead to diseases.

1. Sleep disturbances: The nomophobia It is closely related to the development of sleep disorders. This is due to the repercussions that using screens can have before going to sleep. That is why in many cases the addition of mobile phones can even lead to sleep disorders. To avoid this, it is essential to develop good sleep hygiene and limit cell phone use before going to bed.
2. Fatigue: A sedentary lifestyle resulting from using a cell phone for many hours can lead to chronic fatigue. Not only due to the lack of exercise and movement but also due to exposure to screens. If you experience a lot of mental fatigue and use your cell phone a lot, you may have nomophobia.
3. Depression: Putting aside friendships, as well as not leaving the house because of the mobile addiction It can lead to a depressive disorder. The reason is not only because of the isolation that occurs autonomously, but also because of coming into contact with fresh air or having good health habits.
4. Obsessive compulsive disorder: On many occasions the nomophobia can lead to OCD. The reason is that the cell phone addiction can trigger an unhealthy habit in us with this technology.
5. Couple conflicts: Being constantly connected to your cell phone can not only harm you, but also your loved ones. Therefore, it is very common to have problems in relationships when you suffer from nomophobia.
6. Anxiety: Various research has shown that people who have cell phone addiction They are more likely to suffer from an anxiety disorder due to this misuse.

If you think you are suffering from mobile addiction and its consequences, you must stop abusing this technology. In many cases, psychologists can be a good tool to solve these problems of nomophobia.

What to do about cell phone addiction or nomophobia?

There are a series of guidelines or strategies that can help you leave behind the cell phone addiction and its consequences.

• Set limits: The best way to leave behind mobile addiction and the dependence on mobile phones is trying to establish a series of rules for its use. The key is to set some guidelines to limit their presence during off-hours such as meals or while you take a short break to rest.
• Find balance: On many occasions we use the mobile phone to replace face-to-face meetings with other people. If you think this is your case (whether due to simple laziness or social anxiety) you should try to balance this situation. In this way, try to interact in person with others at least once a day.
• Reduce use little by little: Suddenly stopping using your cell phone when you suffer from nomophobia will not be a good solution. The key is to take breaks from the phone and your dependence on it gradually.
• Find new hobbies: An ideal way to put aside the cell phone is to leave our comfort zone or discover new passions. For this reason, it is essential to try to occupy your time with other activities that encourage you to leave behind nomophobia.
• Consult with a psychologist: Finally, if you can’t get rid of your mobile addiction, it is vital to go to a mental health specialist. In these cases, psychologists will be the best weapon to leave nomophobia behind.

The mobile phone is one of the most used devices today. For this reason, the nomophobia It is increasingly present in our society. Knowing how to use your cell phone is the best way to enjoy all aspects of your life.