Women addicted to their phones at risk of depression

Those who excessively use their phones are more likely to be depressed – but women are most at risk.

The app-filled gadgets are thought to provide us with immediate satisfaction and release ‘feel good’ hormones.

However, this is addictive and shortens our attention span, making us prone to boredom, scientists warn. 

Those who showed a desire to constantly use their phone – known as nomophobia -display signs of the blues, a study found.

Those who show a desire to constantly use their phone – known as nomophobia display signs of the blues, a study found

But researchers at Binghamton University in New York believe such addictions will only worsen in future. 

Study author Dr Isaac Vaghefi, said: ‘Our smartphones have turned into a tool that provides short, quick, immediate satisfaction, which is very triggering. 

‘Our neurons get fired and dopamine is being released, and over time this makes us acquire a desire for quick feedback and immediate satisfaction. 

‘This process also has contributed to developing shorter attention spans and being more and more prone to boredom.

‘I predict technology addiction will increase as technology continues to advance and application, game and gadget developers find new ways to ensure users’ long term engagement with technology.’ 

The researchers quizzed 182 college students and asked them to report their daily routine of smartphone usage. 

But researchers at Binghamton University in New York believe such addictions will only worsen in future (stock)

Five groups were then created to classify each participant in based on their responses. These were: thoughtful, regular, highly engaged, fanatic or addict. 

Some seven per cent identified as ‘addicts’, while 12 per cent were classed as ‘fanatics’, the study published in the Information Systems Journal found. 

Because of their compulsive need to use their smartphones, they experienced personal, social and workplace problems.

But they also displayed signs that could indicate depression, anxiety and even shyness, the researchers noted.

Females were also most likely show signs of the addiction – a finding which has been backed up in numerous previous studies.

Symptoms include being unable to turn off your phone, obsessively checking your phone, constantly topping up the battery and taking your phone to the bathroom.

In May 2015, US researchers found women are 3.6 times more likely to experience nomophobia than men. 

Other research found 18 to 24-year-olds are worst affected – 77 per cent are unable to stay away from their phone for more than a few minutes. 

HOW BAD IS YOUR NOMOPHOBIA? TAKE THE TEST

Write the numbers 1-20 down the side of a sheet of paper. 

Answer each of the questions using a scale of one to seven (where one is strongly disagree and seven is strongly agree) and add up your score at the end.

The higher the number, the more severe your nomophobia is. 

As benchmark, if you score…

20-60: You have mild nomophobia

60-100: You have moderate nomophobia

100+: You have severe nomphobia  

THE QUESTIONS: 

1. I would feel uncomfortable without constant access to information through my smartphone.

2. I would be annoyed if I could not look information up on my smartphone when I wanted to do so.

3. Being unable to get the news (e.g., happenings, weather, etc.) on my smartphone would make me nervous.

4. I would be annoyed if I could not use my smartphone and/or its capabilities when I wanted to do so.

5. Running out of battery in my smartphone would scare me.

6. If I were to run out of credits or hit my monthly data limit, I would panic.

7. If I did not have a data signal or could not connect to Wi-Fi, then I would constantly check to see if I had a signal or could find a Wi-Fi network.

8. If I could not use my smartphone, I would be afraid of getting stranded somewhere.

9. If I could not check my smartphone for a while, I would feel a desire to check it.

Experts have developed a new 20-question test designed to measure a person’s anxiety over being separated from their phone

If I did not have my smartphone with me…

10. I would feel anxious because I could not instantly communicate with my family and/or friends.

11. I would be worried because my family and/or friends could not reach me.

12. I would feel nervous because I would not be able to receive text messages and calls.

13. I would be anxious because I could not keep in touch with my family and/or friends.

14. I would be nervous because I could not know if someone had tried to get a hold of me.

15. I would feel anxious because my constant connection to my family and friends would be broken.

16. I would be nervous because I would be disconnected from my online identity.

17. I would be uncomfortable because I could not stay up-to-date with social media and online networks.

18. I would feel awkward because I could not check my notifications for updates from my connections and online networks.

19. I would feel anxious because I could not check my email messages.

20. I would feel weird because I would not know what to do.