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Nomophobia is the fear of being out of mobile phone contact - and it's the plague of our 24/7 age
Last updated at 01:07am on 01.04.08Getting married, starting a job or going to the dentist have long been recognised as sources of great stress.
But it seems they are now matched by a new, peculiarly 21st century affliction - the fear of being out of mobile phone contact.
Millions apparently suffer from "no mobile phobia" which has been given the name nomophobia.
They have become so dependent on their mobile that discovering it is out of charge or simply misplacing it sends stress levels soaring.
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Experts say nomophobia could affect up to 53 per cent of mobile phone users
More than 13million Britons fear being out of mobile phone contact, according to research.
Keeping in touch with friends or family is the main reason why they are so wedded to their mobile.
More than one in two said this is why they never switch it off.
One in ten said they needed to be contactable at all times because of their jobs, while 9 per cent said that having their phone switched off made them anxious.
Experts say nomophobia could affect up to 53 per cent of mobile phone users, with 48 per cent of women and 58 per cent of men questioned admitting to experiencing feelings of anxiety when they run out of battery or credit, lose their phone or have no network coverage.
The Post Office questioned more than 2,100 mobile phone users. Stewart Fox-Mills, the company's telecom expert, said: "Nomophobia is all too real for many people.
"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.
"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."
Researchers advise those keen to avoid nomophobia to keep their credit topped up, carry a charger at all times, give family and friends an alternative contact number and carry a pre-paid phonecard to make emergency calls if your mobile is broken, lost or stolen.
Other tips include keeping a record of your numbers in case you lose your handset and carrying the phone in a closed pocket or bag to avoid loss or theft.
They add that you could also try to liberate yourself from the shackles of your mobile by simply switching it off.
Reader views (15)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
I'm not sure this counts as a phobia in it's own right. But there is definately an irrational panic that comes on when out of communications. I've both seen and felt it's effect many times.
- Cameron I-H, Falkirk, Scotland
Too sad what is this world coming to?
- Sh Shah, india
Its all about some psychological stress that develops when we stay out of our own people. Since this device keeps them closer to us, we may feel secure. This problem is mainly with the teenager girls. They even give open statements that speaking to their boy friends when they are alone gives them a feel of security and keeps hem away from loneliness.
This is not addiction but something more than that.
- Arvind, Chennai, India
I had a complete nightmare when I left my phone in the back of a cab last year, with all my contacts saved on it. Someone then recommended ZYB to me in passing and since then, I have kept my phone backed up, so if I lose it again, I only have the inconvenience of replacing my phone, rather than building up my entire contacts list again...so I can relax
- Liberty Martinez, West London, UK
What fools we mortals be. No need for illegal drugs, nicotine, alcohol, or sex to become addicted, often to the latest electronic fad.
Friend of mine threw out his TV set. His teen-age kids ended up in psychiatric care. His fifteen-year-old-daughter asked Children's services to investigate her father for child abuse and specifically asked to be placed in a foster home boasting top tier cable service.
I don't own a cell and won't but I am certain of my own sanity.
- Luke Angelo, Macon, Georgia, USA
Sometimes I purposely leave home without my cell phone. It's really very liberating. Try it some time.
- David, New York
Cell phones are convenient. So is McDonalds when you are hungry, or TV when you want to be distracted. Both will make you flabby, physically and emotionally. Better to go hungry for a while. Likewise, fasting from the cellie seems to return us to a more human existence. Eat locally produced food? No. But talk with localized, actually-present people!
- William Eberwein, Menlo Park, USA
If businesses would draw the line between work and away from work it would help. Businesses now expect employees to be checking voice mail and e-mail whenever it comes in. It is just part of the job.
- Daniel, Plano, TX
Pathetic! It seems that man makes his own chains. More and more people's lives are controlled by electronic gadgets. If they are not listening to music on their earphones, they are watching TV, playing video games, or chatting online, on top of which the sound of their mobile phone ringing is enough to send them into a panic. And if it doesn't ring, even worse!
We're becoming robots and anybody cunning enough to pull the right levers will control us through these stupid machines. The world gets crazier by the minute. Somebody tell me where I get off.
- El Bairdo, Malaga, Spain
While I adjust my bluetooth, can I text my comment on this story?
- Greg, ft. worth, tx
Rick's episode from church is scary!
So, yes: "Practice calmness. Don't do anything, just be."
I had my phone switched off nonstop between Tuesday and Saturday last week, and it added 12 months to my life and made me a better man, I'm sure 
Kim
- Kim, Copenhagen, Denmark
I sat next to a gal in church on Easter Sunday morning who spent the first half of the service sending text messages on her mobile phone. Then her mom took it away from her and she literally twitched for the next half hour. I thought she was going to need a tranquillizer. Here's a young woman who did not have the capacity to sit quietly for half an hour! Worst case I'd ever seen.
People, people, people, put the celly down for just a moment and no one will get hurt. We need to practice calmness. Don't do anything, just be.
- Rick, Smithfield, RI USA
What did you do in 1982 when you did not have a cell phone? Did your world fall apart? Were you unable to function?
I have no problem turning off my two cell phones. If you have to turn off your cell phone, don't worry...This is why God invented voice mail!
- Brian, Mission Viejo, CA
Its a shame that some people don't seem to realise that there is a world beyond a small colour screen that they are constantly gawping at. It seems to me that they have become slaves to the technology rather than masters of it.
- Steve, Hereford
What's fear of being out of Facebook contact, I wonder?
- Roz, Chamonix, France
