10 Signs You’re Addicted to Your Smart Phone

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Lately, we’ve been writing quite a bit about the digital era and addiction. Here’s a quick guide to help you decide whether you’re addicted to that handy little device you carry around with you. All. The. Time.

Here it is… 10 Signs You’re Addicted to Your Smart Phone

#1. You freak out if you forget to take it with you to the bathroom, every time

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Whether it’s a quick #1 or a more time-involved #2, you simply cannot go to the bathroom without your phone. You cannot.

#2. The phantom vibration/ring

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You feel it vibrate or hear it ring when no one is calling or texting. This is actually a real phenomenon known as phantom vibration syndrome. And you have to check – just in case – for the FOMO is strong!

#3. You never leave home without it, even for quick errands

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And if *gasp* you do accidentally forget it, you go into meltdown mode. Maybe even have a panic attack.

#4. You stay up later than you mean to

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Because you’re too busy scrolling through your newsfeed or swiping left (or right – which might be another addiction, in and of itself).

#5. You are actually suffering from medical issues related to your smartphone use

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Such as headaches, eye strain, even tendon pain in your thumbs and fingers. Some people have even had to have surgery.

#6. You sleep with your phone, in your bed

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Did you know that your cell phone is filthy? Like, incredibly germ-ridden? Well, it is. It’s right up there with doorknobs and shopping cart handles when it comes to amount of sickness-causing bacteria. So, you might want to rethink sleeping with your phone.

#7. You fail at multitasking

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You are the self-proclaimed social media multitasker. However, when it comes to actually hearing or otherwise taking in what your friends are saying, you are only half-a$$ing it because your attention is divided up by several different conversations.

#8. You’ve freaked out that you can’t find your phone, and then realize it’s in your hand

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OK, so this has happened to me a couple of times, while I was actually talking on the phone with someone.

#9. You constantly check it for notifications and feel depressed when there are none

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This is really becoming a problem for Generation D, as it’s being called. We get an actual spike in dopamine when we see a new text or other notification and, as a result, we’re becoming addicted. Therefore, when those calls/texts/Snapchats aren’t coming in, we start feeling bummed.

#10. You don’t know what to do with yourself if you have to wait somewhere without your phone

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On the other hand, with your phone in hand, you happily pass the time being entertained. After all, the internet is endless.

Behavioral addictions are just as real and legitimate as addictions to substances. If your obsession with and compulsion to act on certain behaviors is getting in the way of your daily life or is causing problems such as strained relationships, you might need to seek help. For questions, call toll-free 1-800-951-6135 to speak with an Addiction Specialist today.