Nomophobia

The Daily Mail reports on the most tragic phobia. I am definitely a sufferer and perhaps you are too: 'Nomophobia' - the fear of being out of mobile phone contact. Millions apparently suffer from "no mobile phobia" which has been given the name nomophobia. They have become so dependent on their mobile that discovering it is out of charge or simply misplacing it sends stress levels soaring.

More than 13million Britons fear being out of mobile phone contact, according to research. Keeping in touch with friends or family is the main reason why they are so wedded to their mobile. More than one in two said this is why they never switch it off. One in ten said they needed to be contactable at all times because of their jobs, while 9 per cent said that having their phone switched off made them anxious. Experts say nomophobia could affect up to 53 per cent of mobile phone users, with 48 per cent of women and 58 per cent of men questioned admitting to experiencing feelings of anxiety when they run out of battery or credit, lose their phone or have no network coverage.

The Post Office questioned more than 2,100 mobile phone users.

How on earth did we all cope before mobile phones. I remember being able to memorise phone numbers. I knew all my friends' numbers off by heart. I never had a written record of them, they were just all in my head. Due to having a mobile phone I think I know two - my own and my mum and dad's. There's just no need to memorise them any more. But what would I do if I lost my phone? This is a potentially life-ruining problem. That is why I have nomophobia!