From school buses to late-night office chats, smartphones have become an integral part of our daily lives. Mobile phones are a primary means of communication for work, family, security and social interaction, but health experts are warning that feeling anxious when away from your phone is not just a habit but can also become a serious mental health problem.
Medical experts call this condition ‘nomophobia’, that is, the irrational fear or anxiety of being without a mobile phone. According to a study published in the International Journal of Research Studies in Education, 94% of mobile users in the United States suffer from nomophobia to some extent.
Although the study is limited to the United States, psychologists working in the Middle East, and especially in the UAE, say that the same symptoms are emerging here too.
According to doctors, nomophobia is often not recognized by people themselves, but rather manifests itself in the form of silent symptoms. Complaints such as sleep disturbances, irritability, anxiety, lack of concentration and mental stress become common when the phone is not in hand.
Dr. Omar bin Abdulaziz, a psychiatrist at NMC Royal Hospital Abu Dhabi, says that rarely does a patient come to the clinic with a complaint of ‘nomophobia’, but its effects are clearly visible in sleep, mood and daily performance.
Various studies conducted on students and young people in the UAE also show that excessive use of mobile phones is linked to poor sleep and mental stress.
According to Dr. Abdulaziz, the problem is not excessive use of the phone but loss of balance and self-control. When being without a phone starts causing constant mental distress, relationship problems or a negative impact on work and education, it becomes a serious problem.
Experts warn that severe anxiety when away from the phone, inability to reduce frequent use, sleep disturbance, distance from family and domestic disputes are danger signs that should not be ignored. Emotional dependence on online validation, especially among young people, is considered a major warning sign.
According to Srividhya Srinivas, a clinical psychologist at Medicare Kamali Clinic Dubai, nomophobia is now increasingly seen in therapy rooms, even though patients themselves are not familiar with the term.
She says that anxiety, panic, restlessness, sleep disturbances and decreased attention span when away from their phones are becoming common symptoms among young people, especially in a society where digital connectivity is an integral part of life.
Experts agree that the solution to the problem is not a complete ban on phones, but rather restoring balance. According to Dr. Abdul Aziz, the emphasis in treatment is on practical and gradual changes, such as keeping the phone out of the bedroom at bedtime, gradually getting used to staying away from the phone and reducing unnecessary notifications. In the case of young people, parents’ own balanced approach and setting clear but agreed-upon boundaries are more effective.
On the other hand, Dr. Shajo George, a psychiatrist at the International Modern Hospital Dubai, says that although nomophobia is not yet recognized as an official mental illness, its screening in clinics is increasing. According to him, physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, sweating, trembling, nervousness and shortness of breath are now becoming the norm when deprived of a phone.
Experts say that although large-scale data in this regard is still limited in the UAE, regional trends clearly indicate that young people and women in particular are being affected by this problem more, which highlights the urgent need for balance in the modern digital lifestyle.