Nomophobia: Dependency on virtual environments or social phobia?

BackgroundThe increasing use of new technologies and virtual communication involving personal computers (PCs), tablets and mobile phones are causing changes in individuals’ daily habits and behavior. We report the case of an individual with social phobia who developed a dependency on communication through virtual environments (i.e., nomophobia), and used a PC as a form of relating to the outside world to reduce stress and to avoid direct social relations. Nomophobia refers to the discomfort or anxiety caused by the non-availability of a mobile phone, PC or any another virtual communication device. Social phobia is described as an anxiety disorder of chronic evolution.ObjectiveTo study nomophobia as a manifest behavior that might serve as an indication of a possible anxiety disorder.MethodologyThe treatment consisted of the use of medication, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and the application of evaluation tools (interviews, scales, inventories and questionnaires).ResultsThe individual responded satisfactorily to medication and CBT treatment, which reduced his time using the PC and increased his exposure to real-life situations.ConclusionNomophobic behavior produces changes in daily habits and can reveal other aspects to be investigated, such as the presence of comorbid mental disorders.

► Demonstrating the influence of new technologies on human behavior.
► Social Phobia patient used the computer “to defend himself” from personal contact.
► Communication dependency by virtual environments (nomophobia) could reveal a disorder.
► Nomophobia as a behavior to investigate the presence of other mental disorders.