Nomophobia, latest addition to stress list

London, Mar 31 (UNI) As if the stresses of modern-day lives were not enough, another affliction - 'nomophobia' has plagued our 24/7 age.

Millions apparently suffer from 'no mobile phobia' or nomophobia, and it could affect upto 53 per cent of mobile phone users, experts said.

People have become so dependent on their mobile phones that discovering it is out of charge, out of credit, losing handset or not having network coverage, triggers a person's stress level.

''We are all familiar with the stressful situations of everyday life such as moving house, break-ups etc. But it seems that being out of mobile contact may be the 21st century's latest contribution to our already hectic lives,'' experts observed.

According to a survey commissioned by Stewart Fox-Mills, the head of telephony at the Post Office, 48 per cent of women and 58 per cent of men who were questioned, admitted that they experienced feelings of anxiety when they run out of battery or credit, lose their phone or had no coverage.

More than one in two said they never switch off their phones as they needed to be contactable all the times, while many others said switching off their phones made them anxious.

Nomophobia is all too real for many people, experts said and advised those keen to avoid nomphobia should keep their credit topped up and carry a charger at all times.

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