Smartphone addiction: Are you a nomophobic?

What is NomophobiaThere are many types of addiction alcohol cigarettes and now the Internet and smartphones says Dr Nilufer Mistry senior counsellor at Dr YA Matcheswallas Happy Minds Dr Mistry admits that an addiction to smartphones and the Internet is not commonly accepted at present She shares that smartphone addiction can be attributed to playing games and social networking mdash activities that are most visible in studentsWeaknesses of an addictgtgtGenerally people who have psychological and emotional characteristics such as depression loneliness social anxiety impulsivity and distraction can easily get addicted to the Internet gtgtSmartphone addiction rakes up physical and psychological problems Physical symptoms such as dry eyes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome repetitive motion injuries to wrists neck back and shoulders migraine headaches and numbness and pain in the thumb and the index and middle fingers are some of the problems they facegtgtAdolescents with poor academic achievements who usually receive less respect from surrounding people displaying behavioural problems such as sleep disorders aggressive or depressive symptoms dropping out of school antisocial personality disorder and alcohol abuse are susceptible to such an addiction gtgtMany suffer from anxiety if they lose their phone even if only for a few minutesDo you have any of these signsgtgtFeeling anxious whenever you do not have your phone in your possessiongtgtConstantly checking the phone for new texts coupled with a compulsion to respond immediatelygtgtDo you have any idea what the person in front of you is talking about If not its probably because you keep checking your Facebook page tweets and textsgtgtFailing in school Poor grades can often be blamed on using smartphone in class gtgtRunning to the store for 30 minutes and halfway there you realise you forgot your phone and you must turn around to get itgtgtIf checking and rechecking your phone comes as naturally to you as breathing or if you feel anxious or restless any time your phone is not on or near you you may have a technology addictionNo more phobiaz Recognising you have a problem is the first step to recoverygtgt Step out of the office for some fresh air without a phonegtgtInstead of responding via email go over and tell the message facetoface gtgtTake 10 deep breaths and dont think about the phone all the timegtgtVacation is your time off from work You need to rest so that you can return to work rejuvenated Information courtesy Dr Anjali Chhabria Dr Nilufer MistryFrom leftDr Anjali Chhabria and Dr Nilufer MistryDisrespect for othersThere is a lack of respect for people around Even while others are talking we continue doing what we are doing Also this preoccupation makes a person more selforiented making an individual more rude and aggressive towards others observes psychologist Dr Anjali Chhabria MindtempleA different kind of pillow talkDr Chhabria states Today smartphones and television have become the biggest cause of a lack of intimacy between couples They prefer to be on their respective phones tablets iPads or watch television shows after a hard day rather than actually spending time with their partnerIsolationWhile we feel the virtual world helps us connect to the latest trends it is actually taking us away from everyone around us Wherever you are in the train in a restaurant a shopping mall or at gatherings most people are on their phonesPhones at the dining tableFamilies having no exclusive time together A common scenario in most houses is that all the members are sitting together but without any communicationEveryone is sitting together in the living room but just physically Mentally each one is doing their own thing like watching television or messaging or on a call or playing games explains Chhabria