If you get struck by icy shivers at the very thought of moving outside the coverage provided by your mobile phone operator or being suddenly cut off from accessing your trusty form of pocket-sized portable communication, then chances are you’re suffering from “nomo-phobia.”
Nomo-phobia apparently ailing 13 million mobile phones users in the UK. Credit: GaetanLee/Flickr.
Specifically, a study carried out by UK organisation YouGov has revealed that millions of people are apparently suffering from nomo-phobia (or “no mobile phobia”) after becoming overly dependant on their mobile phone to the point where a drained battery signal or empty credit rating can cause an abrupt tidal wave of stress.
With research suggesting that more than 13 million Brits fear being out of mobile phone contact and are already afflicted with nomo-phobia, experts are claiming that around 53 percent of all mobile phone users could well be struggling with the condition.
According to the research, which was commissioned by the Post Office and conducted across more than 2,100 respondents, 10 percent said constant contact was required for professional reasons, while a further 9 percent claimed to feel anxious whenever their phone was turned off.
Of those polled in the study, some 48 percent of women and 58 percent of men revealed that instances such as a flat battery charge, no phone credit, network interruption or coverage problems had led them to experience moments of extreme anxiety. More than 50 percent said their reliance stretched to the point where they never turned their phone off.
“Nomo-phobia is all too real for many people,” commented Stewart Fox-Mills, telecom expert for the Post Office.
“We’re all familiar with the stressful situations of everyday life such as moving house, break-ups and organising a family Christmas. But it seems that being out of mobile contact may be the 21st century’s latest contribution to our already hectic lives,” he added. “Whether you have run out of credit or battery, lose your phone or are in an area with no reception, being phoneless can bring on a panicky symptom in our 24/7 culture.”
Possible ways recommended for better avoiding the related stresses of suddenly finding yourself cut off from accessing your phone include keeping credit levels near constant and carrying a pre-paid phone card in order to make calls should your mobile be out of commission, or perhaps even stolen.
The study also offers that mobile phone users should supply family and friends with an alternative contact number, have important numbers stored and available somewhere other than their mobile, and even to voluntarily enforce a period when the handset is turned off in order to help loosen its hold over everyday life.
Note: Not being so utterly dependant on mobile phone access here at The Tech Herald, we couldn’t help but feel that this story was borderline April Fool material. However, other reputable sources have covered it and date it March 31, so therefore there really must be some seriously affected mobile users out there.
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