Fear of Having No Cell Phone On the Rise

You cell phone is ... where again? If that question fills you with panic, you may be a nomophobe—someone who fears being without a cell phone, the Los Angeles Times reports. Odd as it may seem, two thirds of 1,000 people polled in a British survey say they feared being phoneless, up from 53% four years ago. Those aged 18-24 had it worst (77%) followed by 25-34's (68%). Women were 9% more likely to be nomophobic, perhaps because men more often carry a second cell phone.

Signs of nomophobia (no-mobile-phobia) include trembling, sweating, and nausea when a cell phone is out of reach, according to AllAboutCounseling.com. Obsessively checking for your cell or worrying about it when it's in a safe place are also signs. Phobia therapists have treatments, thankfully, such as going phoneless for a time, avoiding negative thoughts, and trying breathing techniques or yoga. If you fear a sense of disconnection more than anything, the site says, it may be time to seek help. (More cell phones stories.)