On the one hand, modern technology makes our lives a lot easier, but on the other hand it may cause anxiety in some people. Most people admit they can not go on without smartphones. These devices, integrating many features in the form of a communicator, camera, music player, navigation or notepad, give us a sense of security and control over various aspects of life. On the average we reach for them... 34 times a day! Are you addicted to your phone? Let us see.
NOMOPHOBIA
It is an abbreviation for “no mobile phone”. People who suffer from this disorder experience anxiety when they realise they do not carry their phone, their smartphone is out of service area or its battery is almost discharged. Research indicates that approx. 77% of people aged under 25 declare anxiety in these situations. Although this percentage falls for the older generation, it is still at a high level. Among people aged 25-34 it amounts to 64%.
FOMO
“Fear Of Missing Out” most often affects people with low fulfilment of need for satisfaction in the area of their competencies, relationships or autonomy. It is a feeling of fear that as a result of lack of access to the phone we will miss something important. It is expressed by compulsive checking of communicators and portals, so that nothing escapes our attention. A few minutes delay in reading the news and we might lose the chance of a lifetime, the consequences of which will be irreversible. Therefore, we react as quickly as possible. This applies both to messages addressed directly to us, as well as those regarding the content published on a variety of social networks. Unfortunately, often it is connected with the reduction of professional efficiency, problems with concentration while performing tasks and procrastination. Audible and visual conveniences in the form of push allow us to keep on track all the time.
HPVS
This is the acronym for “Human Phantom Vibration Syndrome.” Have you ever reached for your phone, because you thought you have just received a message? Probably everyone experienced that situation. What could be the cause for such behaviour? Certainly there are many. One of them is the feeling of excessive tension we want to quickly relieve. This may also be caused by mirror neurons that are activated at a time when we see another person receiving a message or reaching for the phone. Most people then reach for their phones without thinking to see if anyone is trying to contact them. Sometimes also apart from feeling vibrations people experience sound hallucinations, and contrary to appearances, it is not a rare phenomenon.
Technophobia
Naturally, we also can not fail to mention technophobia, which is an irrational fear of technology. The life of technophobes in today's world ruled by modern technical solutions, focused on rapid transmission of information via mobile devices, is not easy. What is technophobia? It is a special kind of phobia of technology that is anything that might be associated with the progress, development and modernity identified as a threat to humanity. It arises as a result of contact with the causative agent of a sense of fear, e.g. a tablet, computer or smartphone. What are the symptoms? The most common symptoms are: increased heart rate, shortness of breath, dizziness, increased sweating and panic.
We live in a world which turns more and more quickly. We do not have the time to stop for a moment and reflect. We build our perfect world in the online space, being dependent on access to information. But perhaps it is worth appreciating the reality that surrounds us, which can not be just switched off using the OFF button? Let us ask ourselves, what we really want in life, what we dream about, what makes us happy. Let us not think of what we “have to” do, because it is expected of us. Let us appreciate the friends we have in the real world, they certainly can not be replaced by a hundred of Facebook friends.