Fear of Having No Cell Phone On the Rise

Nomophobia: Symptoms include trembling, sweating, and nausea
By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 20, 2012 5:25 PM CST
Phobia Experts Name Fear of Having No Cell Phone
Nomophobia can strike at any time.   (Shutterstock)

You cell phone is ... where again? If that question fills you with panic, you may be a nomophobe—someone who fears being without a cell phone, the Los Angeles Times reports. Odd as it may seem, two thirds of 1,000 people polled in a British survey say they feared being phoneless, up from 53% four years ago. Those aged 18-24 had it worst (77%) followed by 25-34's (68%). Women were 9% more likely to be nomophobic, perhaps because men more often carry a second cell phone.

Signs of nomophobia (no-mobile-phobia) include trembling, sweating, and nausea when a cell phone is out of reach, according to AllAboutCounseling.com. Obsessively checking for your cell or worrying about it when it's in a safe place are also signs. Phobia therapists have treatments, thankfully, such as going phoneless for a time, avoiding negative thoughts, and trying breathing techniques or yoga. If you fear a sense of disconnection more than anything, the site says, it may be time to seek help. (More cell phones stories.)

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