Mobile Phone is getting the better of me

LegacyUser

This is an issue that is causing me great distress and anxiety and I need help or suggestions on how to handle/defuse this or if anyone has gone through this.

Bascially my phone. I get anxiety when I dont hear from someone. I keep looking at it. I tried to hiding. Even on nights out I keep checking it-drives me mad - I leave it places so I dont keep looking at it, but makes me even more anxious that I dont have it on me. Like really anxious. Am wondering if there is an underlying problem?

For example, I have recently become friends with a guy-we text each other. Sometimes I mightnt hear from him for a week, and I will literally spend that week checking/looking at the phone! Obsessively. I cant seem to stop doing it. Its a bit obsessive and I want to sort it out. Its actually making me miserable. Like I might be out playing a sport, and all the time am thinking did he/someone text/ring me, and I will race off to the car after to check. Its unhealthy and frankly weird.

To add to this, I can be implusive sometimes in my thoughts, and for example, whats in my head, I have to text someone, or text him-he must be thinking WTF?

Is it a behavioural or pshchological thing? Am aware I have a (weird) problem, and it needs adressing!

curlzy

Hey OP,

Not playing doctor but it sounds like OCD. I think you should have a chat with your GP before it gets any worse.

Best of luck.

Klingon Hamlet

thinkamcrazy wrote: »

This is an issue that is causing me great distress and anxiety and I need help or suggestions on how to handle/defuse this or if anyone has gone through this.

Bascially my phone. I get anxiety when I dont hear from someone. I keep looking at it. I tried to hiding. Even on nights out I keep checking it-drives me mad - I leave it places so I dont keep looking at it, but makes me even more anxious that I dont have it on me. Like really anxious. Am wondering if there is an underlying problem?

For example, I have recently become friends with a guy-we text each other. Sometimes I mightnt hear from him for a week, and I will literally spend that week checking/looking at the phone! Obsessively. I cant seem to stop doing it. Its a bit obsessive and I want to sort it out. Its actually making me miserable. Like I might be out playing a sport, and all the time am thinking did he/someone text/ring me, and I will race off to the car after to check. Its unhealthy and frankly weird.

To add to this, I can be implusive sometimes in my thoughts, and for example, whats in my head, I have to text someone, or text him-he must be thinking WTF?

Is it a behavioural or pshchological thing? Am aware I have a (weird) problem, and it needs adressing!

I think you need to focus more on your wants and needs. What makes you happy OP? having a hobby/passion can redirect any unexpressed energies towards something more productive, and when you see the results of your labours---whatever they may be---you will feel a sense of empowerment and find your place in the world.

At the moment you are overly anxious because this guy you text/texts you is like an anchor for you---someone to keep you grounded and safe and secure. Without contact, you feel adrift, lost and it all feels like it could crumble. I know because sometimes I deal with bouts of anxiety and everytime it's due to undealt-with worries or desires. It is the symptom of repression, frustration, and cabin fever.

Go find what makes you happy OP. Best of luck:)

LegacyUser

Both replies make sense, but Im still not sure what I should be doing practically for myself to stop this madness. I have hobbies, job, money friends usual stuff. No real anxiety on these things.

The phone seems to represent something then-like a way to get control of my anxiety/worries, due to what ever reason?

Sometimes I just get so anxious/worked up and the compulsion to text is unreal. Like something else takes over. Like I have something/anything to say and I need to get it out.

Im sure there are girls up and down the country who look at their phone hoping someone will contact them, but this is beyond that. The emotional pain/worry transfers into the pit of my stomach and OMG the anxiety out of this is unreal. I dont know if that makes sense. I guess I am a worrier or something. I want to be carefree and not so attached to if someone texts/calls me or not, which to be honest isnt a real demonstration of if someone likes you. Its as if the phone has almost become something else than a phone. Sounds mad. But it is good to try explain myself.

Klingon Hamlet

thinkamcrazy wrote: »

Both replies make sense, but Im still not sure what I should be doing practically for myself to stop this madness. I have hobbies, job, money friends usual stuff. No real anxiety on these things.

The phone seems to represent something then-like a way to get control of my anxiety/worries, due to what ever reason?

Sometimes I just get so anxious/worked up and the compulsion to text is unreal. Like something else takes over. Like I have something/anything to say and I need to get it out.

Im sure there are girls up and down the country who look at their phone hoping someone will contact them, but this is beyond that. The emotional pain/worry transfers into the pit of my stomach and OMG the anxiety out of this is unreal. I dont know if that makes sense. I guess I am a worrier or something. I want to be carefree and not so attached to if someone texts/calls me or not, which to be honest isnt a real demonstration of if someone likes you. Its as if the phone has almost become something else than a phone. Sounds mad. But it is good to try explain myself.

Work it down to the basics, start with your first thought: do you think, Oh I hope someone texted. Or do you visuallise the phone. What's the trigger?

Is it an avoidance thing (my main failing)? As in you face a "real" problem and so focus on the rather hollow issue of texts? Or is it to do with the possibility of finding that special someone---that you've tied that into this man, and his texts?

I hope I don't sound interrogation-y---I deal with my own stresses as best I can and I hope I can help:)

Taltos

OP - please go and speak to your GP.
None of us here are qualified to give any type of diagnosis - and those that do run the risk of earning an infraction or a ban.

As a result we are closing this thread as beyond seeking professional help there is not much more we can advise here.

Taltos