Modern technology continues to revolutionize the way we communicate every day. However, there are many negative aspects of this situation. Phone addiction (nomophobia) negatively affects people's mental health. Not being able to stay in touch with nature and fear of being alone trigger phone addiction (nomophobia). According to researches, 58 percent of people who use smartphones cannot stop without picking up their phone for more than 1 hour. Spending too much time with the phone and ipad can lead to many physical and mental health problems.
Phone Addiction (Nomophobia); Nomophobia, which stands for 'no mobile phobia', can be defined as being without a phone or being away from communication. When a person cannot access the object they are addicted to, they show withdrawal symptoms and need more and more of it, the same symptoms are observed in nomophobia.
What are the Symptoms of Phone Addiction (Nomophobia)?
Being constantly on the phone when we are with the people we love or communicating with people in the same house by phone is a sign of phone addiction (nomophobia).
Other symptoms ofphone addiction can be listed as follows;
- The person wants his/her phone to be with him/her all the time.
- The person may worry that the internet connection will be lost or constantly checks the internet package.
- The person panics when the phone battery runs out.
- The person fears that there is no signal in the area.
- The person is afraid of leaving their phone anywhere.
- A person fears that their phone may malfunction.
- Without a phone, a person may experience a number of anxiety symptoms such as headache, increased heart rate, difficulty breathing, stomach cramps.
The person may also feel the need to constantly check their phone when they get into an elevator. By looking at individuals with these and similar symptoms, this condition is defined as phone separation disorder.
How to quit phone addiction (nomophobia)?
Having information aboutnomophobia is determined as the first way to get rid of this addiction. If individuals are faced with situations such as spending too much time on the phone, not being able to adapt to daily life, showing excessive reactions when the phone is taken away and therefore not being able to feed themselves, it may be useful to get support from a psychologist, pedagogue or a psychiatrist. We can list the treatment methods for phone addiction (nomophobia) as follows;
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Group or family therapy
- Art therapy
- Recreation therapy
- Reality therapy
Families of addicted individuals should also be supported in this regard. Some follow-up notes can be taken to measure the time the person spends on the phone and tablet. If the addicted person is a child or adolescent, they should guide the child and manage the time they spend on the phone, and ensure that the child or adolescent plays a greater role in active life. Parents should decide at what age children should use these technological devices.
Althoughthe phone and ipad may seem like an entertainment platform, they are much more than that. Each platform is a hidden phenomenon of a way of thinking and a new order. If we do not consciously restrict the use of phones, it is only a matter of time before we become part of this phenomenon and carry the ailments of the modern age.
Phone Addiction Test
There are some tests to find out if a person is addicted to the phone. If you have some of the following items, you may be addicted to cell phones;
- If your eyes are constantly on your cell phone when you are with your family and friends
- If you spend all or half the day on the phone
- If you feel lonely when you don't have your phone with you
- If you feel more peaceful online
- If you look at your cell phone as soon as you wake up
- If you no longer participate in social activities and are constantly playing with your tablet and phone
People who experience these and similar problems may be addicted to the phone. In order to prevent this situation from progressing further, it is necessary to get support from a specialist.
