Nomophobia means ‘no-mobile-phone phobia’. It’s the fear of being without your mobile. The term itself was invented in 2010, by YouGov, a UK-based research organization. It is prevalent among teenagers and young people who never switch off their phones and want to be contactable at all times. YouGov found that 53% of UK men and 47% of women were nomophobic.
Similar research in the USA found that 65% of people sleep with their phones (the percentage is higher among college students) and 34% of respondents had answered the phone while being intimate with a partner.
Everyone wants to feel connected. Nowadays the internet and access to Wi-Fi or a network wherever we go, means that we can always be in touch with people. We simple become addicted to this, and in an insecure world, being connected means receiving approval from others. We like to feel approved of.
While we are being a little light hearted here, you should be aware that nomophobia can actually be very serious. If your addiction to your phone has persisted over a long period of time and is affecting your health – perhaps your ability to sleep, or your everyday life – you communicate better with friends via your mobile than face to face for example, then it really is time to wean yourself off it or seek professional help.
Depending on the severity of your nomophobia you may be able to access a variety of treatments. Exposure therapy for example, involves a therapist slowly exposing a person to the idea of being without their phone. This is then extended to being without the phone in reality for short periods of time, and building this up.
A cognitive behavioural therapist might work on overcoming the fear of being disconnected or without your mobile, while other specialists might recommend relaxation techniques to deal with your emotional and physical symptoms.
Created by Tom Vermeersch (bio)
Tom Vermeersch is a certified Psychologist and Bach flower expert with more than 30 years of experience.
It's often difficult to say no, but some people never do! So how do you know when to say no and when to say yes?
Can you accept things you can't change? Take our quiz!
Your relationship ends, or you lose your job, and you get stuck in a rut of negative thoughts and suffering. How good are you at letting go of grudges and accepting that some things are beyond your control? Take our quiz to find out!
Being happy is something everybody strives for, but unfortunately there are a lot of people who go through life unhappily. A lot of people take life how it is.
Do you suffer from a disorder known as "musturbation"? This term was first coined in the 1950s by psychotherapist Albert Ellis and described the way a negative inner voice rules our minds and bludgeons us with words such as "must", "should", and "ought".
Do you expect too much from others?
Do you expect more from others than they are prepared to give? Signs that you may be asking too much - and how to break the pattern.
Nowadays, it can sometimes seem almost everyone has a mental health issue or learning disorder. But, are we too quick to label people, or is it that we are more aware of the problems? This article looks at some of the issues surrounding these sensitive questions.
You see the word "toxic" everywhere these days, but what does it really mean? You've almost certainly come across someone who fits the description. Dealing with difficult personalities can be challenging and emotionally exhausting, to say the least.
What to do when the spark is fading
Why do you feel butterflies at the start of a new romance, and how can you keep the flame burning in a long term relationship as the spark starts to fade?
Is your sex life putting your relationship at risk?
Sexual desire is a complex interaction of hormones, emotions and well-being. When your partner is not as interested in sex as you are, it’s rarely a rejection of you as a person. So it’s essential to be as empathetic as you can regarding your differing libidos.
Signs of depression under the radar
It is not always obvious when someone is experiencing depression. Some people with depression mask their symptoms, hiding their feelings behind a smile to convince others they are happy.
Nomophobia means ‘no-mobile-phone phobia’. It’s the fear of being without your mobile. The term itself was invented in 2010, by YouGov, a UK-based research organization. It is prevalent among teenagers and young people who never switch off their phones and want to be contactable at all times. YouGov found that 53% of UK men and 47% of women were nomophobic.
Similar research in the USA found that 65% of people sleep with their phones (the percentage is higher among college students) and 34% of respondents had answered the phone while being intimate with a partner.
Everyone wants to feel connected. Nowadays the internet and access to Wi-Fi or a network wherever we go, means that we can always be in touch with people. We simple become addicted to this, and in an insecure world, being connected means receiving approval from others. We like to feel approved of.
While we are being a little light hearted here, you should be aware that nomophobia can actually be very serious. If your addiction to your phone has persisted over a long period of time and is affecting your health – perhaps your ability to sleep, or your everyday life – you communicate better with friends via your mobile than face to face for example, then it really is time to wean yourself off it or seek professional help.
Depending on the severity of your nomophobia you may be able to access a variety of treatments. Exposure therapy for example, involves a therapist slowly exposing a person to the idea of being without their phone. This is then extended to being without the phone in reality for short periods of time, and building this up.
A cognitive behavioural therapist might work on overcoming the fear of being disconnected or without your mobile, while other specialists might recommend relaxation techniques to deal with your emotional and physical symptoms.
It's often difficult to say no, but some people never do! So how do you know when to say no and when to say yes?
Your relationship ends, or you lose your job, and you get stuck in a rut of negative thoughts and suffering. How good are you at letting go of grudges and accepting that some things are beyond your control? Take our quiz to find out!
Read the complete article
Being happy is something everybody strives for, but unfortunately there are a lot of people who go through life unhappily. A lot of people take life how it is.
Read the complete article
Do you suffer from a disorder known as "musturbation"? This term was first coined in the 1950s by psychotherapist Albert Ellis and described the way a negative inner voice rules our minds and bludgeons us with words such as "must", "should", and "ought".
Do you expect more from others than they are prepared to give? Signs that you may be asking too much - and how to break the pattern.
Nowadays, it can sometimes seem almost everyone has a mental health issue or learning disorder. But, are we too quick to label people, or is it that we are more aware of the problems? This article looks at some of the issues surrounding these sensitive questions.
You see the word "toxic" everywhere these days, but what does it really mean? You've almost certainly come across someone who fits the description. Dealing with difficult personalities can be challenging and emotionally exhausting, to say the least.
Why do you feel butterflies at the start of a new romance, and how can you keep the flame burning in a long term relationship as the spark starts to fade?
Read the complete article
Sexual desire is a complex interaction of hormones, emotions and well-being. When your partner is not as interested in sex as you are, it’s rarely a rejection of you as a person. So it’s essential to be as empathetic as you can regarding your differing libidos.
It is not always obvious when someone is experiencing depression. Some people with depression mask their symptoms, hiding their feelings behind a smile to convince others they are happy.
Bach Flowers are not medicinal but harmless plant extracts which are used to support health.
© 2025 Mariepure - Webdesign Publi4u
Are you unsure which Bach flowers can help you? Contact Tom for free advice.
