User:Jimena.schroeder/sandbox

Nomophobia is a disorder of modern society, described as the discomfort, anxiety and nervousness caused by being without a mobile phone. Although nomophobia does not appear in the current DSM-V, it as been proposed as a "specific phobia," based on definitions given in the DSM-IV. According to Bianchi and Philips (2005) psychological factors are involved in the overuse of a mobile phone. These could include low self-esteem, when individuals looking for reassurance use the mobile phone in inappropriate ways, and extroverted personality, when naturally social individuals use the mobile phone in excess. It is also highly possible that nomophobic symptoms may be caused by another underlying and preexisting mental disorders, with likely candidates including social phobia or social anxiety disorder, social anxiety, and panic disorder. Schutze394 (talk) 05:38, 14 April 2015 (UTC)

Research evidence
With the changes of technologies, new challenges are coming up in the everyday basis. New kinds of phobias have emerged, the so called techno-phobias. Since the first mobile phone in the market in 1983, it has become one of the mainstreams in the majority of societies. Shambare, Rugimbana, & Zhowa (2012) claimed that cell phones are "possibly the biggest non-drug addiction of the 21st century," and that colleges students may spend up to nine hours every day on their phones that can lead to dependence on such technologies as a driver of modern life and an example of "a paradox of technology ." that is both freeing and enslaving. Schutze394 (talk) 19:35, 3 May 2015 (UTC) The term nomophobia was created during a research study by YouGov, commissioned by the UK Post Office. The study's purpose was to look at anxieties suffered by mobile phone users. The term nomophobia came from the phrase No Mobile Phone Phobia. At the end of the research YouGov conclude that 53% of individuals that use a mobile phone in Britain get anxious when they: "lose the device, run out of battery, or have no network coverage." They also found that this phobia was more common in men that in women.

A survey conducted by SecurEnvoy showed that youngsters and adolescents have more chances to suffer from nomophobia. The same survey reported that 77% of the teens had anxiety and worries in the case of being without their mobile phones, followed by the 25-34 age group and people over 55 years old. Some psychological predictors to look for in a person that might be suffering of this phobia are: "self negative views, younger age, low esteem and self-efficacy, high extroversion or introversion, impulsiveness and sense of urgency and sensation seeking. Jimena.schroeder (talk) 13:17, 29 April 2015 (UTC)Jimena Schroeder

Among students, frequent cell phone usage has been correlated with decreases in GPA grade point average and increased anxiety that negatively impact self-reported life satisfaction (well-being and happiness) in comparison to students with less frequent usage. GPA decreases may be due to the over-use of cell phone or computer usage consuming time and focus during studying, attending class, working on assignments, and the distraction of cell phones during class. Over-usage of cell phones may increase anxiety due to the pressure to be continually connected to social networks and could rob chances of perceived solitude, relieving daily stress, that has been linked as a component of well-being. Schutze394 (talk) 19:00, 3 May 2015 (UTC)

Experiments
In Australia 946 adolescents and emerging adults between ages 15 and 24 participated in a mobile phone research study; 387 males, 557 females, and 2 chose not to report a gender. The study focused on the relationship between the participants frequency of mobile phone use and the participants mobile phone psychological involvement. Researchers assessed several psychological factors that may influence participants mobile phone use with the following questionnaires: Mobile Phone Involvement Questionnaire (MPIQ), Frequency of Mobile Phone Use, Self Identity, and Validation from others. The MPIQ assessed behavioral addictions using a 7-point Likert scale (1 - strongly agree) and (7-strongly disagree) which included questions like, "I often think about my mobile phone when I am not using it... I feel connected to others when I use my mobile phone". The results demonstrated moderate difference between the participants mobile phone use and their psychological relationships with the mobile phones. No pathological conditions were found however, there was an excessive use of mobile phone indicating signs of attachment. Participants who demonstrated signs of excessive mobile phone use were more likely to increase their use when receiving validation from others. Other factors considered, the population studied was focused on adolescents and emerging adults are more likely to develop mobile phone dependency because they may be going through a self-identity, self-esteem, and social identity.

Suffers of with panic disorders and anxiety disorders are prone to mobile phone dependency. A study in Brazil compared the symptoms experienced due to mobile phone use by heterosexual participants with panic disorders and a control group of healthy participants. Group 1 consisted of 50 participants with panic disorder and agoraphobia with an average age of 43 and group 2 consisted of 70 healthy participants with no disorders and an average age of 35. During the experiment participants were given a self-report mobile phone questionnaire which assessed the mobile phone use and symptoms reported by both groups. Interestingly, (44%) of group 1 reported that they felt "secure" when they had their mobile phones versus (46%) of group 2 reported they would not feel the same without their mobile phone .The results demonstrated (68%) of all participants reported mobile phone dependency, but overall the participants with panic disorder and agoraphobia reported significantly more emotional symptoms and dependency on mobile phones when compared to the control group when access to the mobile phone was prohibited.

Symptoms & signs
Nomophobia occurs in situations when an individual experiences anxiety due to the fear of not having access to a mobile phone. Anxiety is provoked by several reasons such as the loss of a mobile phone, loss of reception, and dead mobile phone battery. Some clinical characteristics of nomophobia include using the device impulsively, or as protection, sometimes from social communication, or as a transitional object, having one or more devices with access to internet, always carrys a charger, and feelings of anxiety when thinking about loosing the mobile.The "over-connection syndrome" occurs when mobile phone use reduces the amount of face-to-face interactions thereby interfering significantly with an individuals social and family interactions. The term "techno-stress" is another way to describe a individual who avoids face-to-face interactions by engaging in isolation including psychological mood disorders such as depression. Other clinical characteristics of nomophobia are a considerably decreased number of face-to-face interactions with humans, and a growing preference for communication through technologies; keeping the device in reach when sleeping and never turned off; look at the phone screen frequently to not miss any message, phone call, or notification, also called ringxiety; nomophobia can also lead to a increase of debt due to the excessive use of data and the different devices the person can have. Signs of mobile phone dependency include obsessively checking a mobile-phone and using a mobile phone to avoid feelings of discomfort, anguish, or stress.

Irrational reactions and extreme reactions due to anxiety and stress may be experienced by the individual in public settings where mobile phone use is restricted such as airports, academic institutions, and work. Overusing a mobile phone for day-to-day activities such as purchasing items causing the individual to engage in financial problems. Signs of distress and depression occur when the individual does not receive any contact from through a mobile phone. Attachment signs of a mobile phone the urgency to sleep with a mobile phone. The ability to be communicate through a mobile phone gives the individual a piece of mind and security.

Nomophobia may act as a proxy to other disorders. Those suffering from an underlying social disorder are likely to experience nervousness, anxiety, anguish, perspiration, and trembling when separated or unable to use (low battery, out of service area, no connection, etc.) from their digital devices--mobile phone, tablet, personal computer, or other digital and virtual communication devices. These modern devices may make those suffering from nomophobia or related disorder feel safer, more confident, and less anxious and often will insist on keeping their devices on hand at all times, like returning to their homes to retrieve forgotten cell phones. Nomophobic behavior may reinforce social anxiety tendencies and dependency on using virtual and digital communications as a method of reducing stress generated by social anxiety and social phobia. Those suffering from panic disorders may also show nomophobic behaviors, however, will likely report feelings of rejection, loneliness, insecurity, and low self-esteem in regards to their cell phones, especially when times with little to no contact (few incoming calls and messages). Those with panic disorder will likely feel significantly more anxious and depressed with their cellphone use. Despite this, those suffering from panic disorder were significantly less likely to place voice calls. Schutze394 (talk) 05:37, 14 April 2015 (UTC)

Symptoms

 * anxiety
 * respiratory alterations
 * trembling
 * perspiration
 * agitation
 * disorientation
 * tachycardia

Emotional symptoms

 * depression
 * panic
 * fear
 * dependence
 * rejection
 * low self-esteem
 * loneliness

Treatments
Right now, there is few scholarly accepted treatments methods. Promising methods may include a combination of psychotherapy and pharmacological intervention. Cognitive behavioral therapy seems to be effective by reinforcing autonomous behavior independent from technological influences, however, this form of treatment lacks randomized trails. Another possible treatment is "Reality Approach," or Reality therapy asking patient to focus behaviors away from cell phones. In extreme or severe cases, neuropsychopharmacology may be advantageous, ranging from benzodiazepines to antidepressants in usual doses. Patients were also successfully treated using tranylcypromine combined with cloanzepam. However, it is important to note that these medications were designed to treat social anxiety disorder and not nomophobia directly. It may be rather difficult to treat nomophobia directly, but more plausible to investigate, identify, and treat any underlying mental disorders if any exist. Schutze394 (talk) 05:36, 14 April 2015 (UTC)

Even though nomophobia is a fairly new concept, there are validated psychometric scales available to help in the diagnostic, an example of one of these scales is the "Questionnaire of Dependence of Mobile Phone/Test of Mobile Phone Dependence (QDMP/TMPD)" Jimena.schroeder (talk) 13:18, 29 April 2015 (UTC)Jimena Schroeder