Are you Suffering from RingXiety?

Techtree News Staff, Sep 19, 2007 1508 hrs IST

Psychiatrists reveal that an increasing number of Indians are suffering from what they term, 'ringxiety', a condition wherein users imagine their phones ringing...

E-Mail Print

It reminds you of the wedding scene from "Bend it like Beckham" where a cell phone suddenly rings in the midst of a group of gossipy women -- and almost all of them check to see if their phone is ringing -- but in vain...

However this one is for real, and not reel life...

Psychiatrists reportedly reveal that an increasing number of Indians are suffering from what they term, 'ringxiety', a condition wherein users imagine their phone to be ringing or vibrating when actually no such thing is happening.

The condition is likely to be more severe in case of heavy cell phone users as compared to those who use mobile phones in moderation, say psychiatrists.

Though there is no comprehensive study on the prevalence of 'ringxiety' in the country, doctors say at least 25 percent of all mobile phone users might be prone to hearing these 'ghostly' rings.

In the US however, a recent study, involving participants aged 18 to 26 years, found two-thirds of those surveyed suffering from 'ringxiety'. The study also found that 67 percent of the people who complained of this condition -- used more minutes, sent more text messages, paid higher monthly charges, and showed higher levels of impulsive behavior.

Dr Jitender Nagpal, senior psychiatrist at VIMHANS, was quoted saying that 'ringxiety' is becoming common in India, and that he estimates a three-fold increase in the number of 'behavioral changes' cases caused by excessive mobile phone use in the past few years.

"Frequent mobile users are always anxious. They are on tenterhooks, waiting for the phone to ring, trying to reduce the wait and response period. This also leads to frequent mood changes, irritability, and stress. Altered behaviour is common in such cases," he said.

He also added that use of mobile phones for long durations by all generations has become a serious health concern with respect to cardio-vascular and neurological complications.

Dr Nagpal warned that it's time to seriously introspect on the utility of the mobile phone as it's overuse is leading to serious loss of quality time with one's family and one self.

USER COMMENTS

yes sir i feel like this when biking

by nijo joseph, kollam, on Sep 20, 2007 12:17 PM, Report abuse Reply

It is your anxiety nor ringXiety. You fear ur phone may ring and expect the worse while riding.

by Vinod, Mumbai, on Mar 22, 2009 09:45 PM, Report abuse

I have the similar feeling and was wondering what is happening? I am really trying to avoid using phones now a days because of ghost rings

by Raj, Chennai, on Sep 20, 2007 08:16 PM, Report abuse Reply

ringxeity

by pooja, bangalore, on Sep 20, 2007 07:06 PM, Report abuse Reply

Isn't this "news" from May 2006 or even earlier? Are we running out of fun things to report?

by Shanx, Mumbai, on Sep 20, 2007 04:13 PM, Report abuse Reply

so true... earlier i used to do lots of messaging.. and even when i don't get any messages also i used to hear message tone (or assume that i heard message tone).. hmmmm so another hazard... aprt from all occupation hazards

by srikanth, chennai, on Sep 19, 2007 04:58 PM, Report abuse Reply

it has been noticed with cellphones.... but what about the doorbells, home telephone rings... part of life man !

by rajat, noida, on Sep 20, 2007 03:56 PM, Report abuse

good

by ranadheer, hyderabad, on Sep 20, 2007 02:46 PM, Report abuse Reply

Its an indirect proof of universallly increased anxiety level spillover into techniccal usage of various gizmos the neohuman is using .In my own practice and At our NGO" SNEHI" i have observed the similarl trends and i fully agree with Dr. Nagpal"s Clinical obs.about ringxiety.this term is a new wine in the old bottle of "anxiety"

by Dr. Deshmukh., N.Delhi, on Sep 20, 2007 09:39 AM, Report abuse Reply

It's a literal truth.. i sensed these symptoms a long time back.. but after that i stopped using mobile continously.. now i took the mobile in hand only after hearing the tone.. It will be lesson for mobile addict's.. As the technology grows, humans are losing their naturality

by Ramya, Chennai, on Sep 20, 2007 09:28 AM, Report abuse Reply

Reading this message I felt that I am among them. I have noticed the changes in me that are expressed here. from now on-wards I owe my-self to use mobiles less times than before and insist my friends

by Akshita.R, Bangalore, on Sep 19, 2007 04:23 PM, Report abuse Reply

excellent, u seem to be concious of ur mental health and have quick response time.

by Dr. Deshmukh., N.Delhi, on Sep 20, 2007 09:25 AM, Report abuse

publicizing a very normal or even contempt act with a freaky terminology actually addles the common people..

by Aruna, Madurai, on Sep 19, 2007 07:36 PM, Report abuse Reply