Nomo-phobia - Horsham area's new affliction
THOUSANDS of Horsham residents are suffering from nomo-phobia.
Fear of being out of mobile phone contact affects over 29,000 people in the Horsham area and is causing stress levels to soar, according to a Post Office Telecoms report.
Experts have coined a new term to describe this latest affliction to hit the iPod generation – nomo-phobia.
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The term characterises a generation of mobile phone users who worry about being out of mobile phone contact with friends, family and colleagues.
Research shows that keeping in touch with friends or family is the primary reason people are wedded to their mobile - 49 per cent of people cited this as a reason for never switching off their phone.
Eight per cent of people who never switch off said they needed to be contactable at all times because of their jobs, and nine per cent said that having their phone switched off made them anxious.
And with one in four people (24 per cent) in the Horsham area never switching off their mobile phones, being out of mobile phone contact now ranks alongside traditionally stressful situations such as getting married, starting a new job and going to the dentist.
Experts warn thatnomo-phobia could affect up to 52 per cent of mobile phone usersadmitting to experiencing feelings of anxiety when they run out of battery or credit, lose their phone or have no network coverage.
The Post Office's telephony expert Stewart Fox-Mills said: "Nomo-phobia is very real for many people. We're all familiar with the stressful situations of everyday life such as moving house, breakups and organising a family Christmas – but it seems that being out of mobile contact may be the 21st Century's contribution to our already manic lives.
"Whether you run out of credit or battery, lose your phone or are in an area with no reception, being phoneless and panicked is a symptom of our 24/7 culture."
The Post Office has produced a simple guide to avoiding nomo-phobia – which includes tips such as keeping your Pay as You Go phone topped up, leaving your loved ones with an alternative contact number or simply switching off your phone when you don't want to be contacted.
The Post Office is the UK's second largest retailer of electronic top-ups for mobile phones and covers all the major mobile phone networks.
The Post Office's Top Tips for avoiding nomo-phobia:
BACK IT UP:Keep a record of your numbers in case you lose your handset
KEEP IT SAFE:Keep your mobile phone in a closed pocket or bag to avoid loss or theft
DON'T GET CAUGHT SHORT:Check your balance and top-up your Pay as you Go mobile phone regularly
FULLY CHARGED: Make sure you charge your battery before you leave the house, and keep a spare charger at your place of work
WHAT'S THE ALTERNATIVE?If you're heading somewhere with poor mobile phone reception, leave an alternative contact number with family, friends or colleagues so you can be contacted in an emergency
BE PREPARED: Keep a prepaid phonecard in your purse/ wallet so that you can make emergency calls in the event of your mobile being broken, lost or stolen
SWITCH IT OFF: If you don't want to be contacted, liberate yourself from the shackles of your mobile by switching off your phone.
For comprehensive coverage of all the stories making the local news, read Friday's edition of the West Sussex County Times newspaper. Website users who wish to purchase a copy of the County Times newspaper but live outside our circulation area can do so by telephoning 01403 751200 and asking for reception. The cost of the newspaper plus postage in England is 1.53 which can be paid for by credit card. Overseas rates are also available, on request.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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