‘It felt like the phone was vibrating’: Understanding phantom vibration syndrome

The day is going well, you are fully focused on some activity you need to do, when out of nowhere your phone seems to vibrate with a message. You go to check it and… Nothing. The feeling of being crazy is real. So much so that there is even a name for it: Phantom Vibration Syndrome.

Don’t worry, this is a reasonable and very common condition, nothing to be alarmed about. And to be sure, let’s understand better how this syndrome works and what experts say about it, okay?

Phantom Vibration Syndrome, According to Experts

The first time the term Phantom Vibration Syndrome was used was in an article published in the newspaper New Pittsburgh Courierin the United States, in 2003. At that time, messengers and apps were not yet common, so how was this possible?

At that time, it was already common to receive calls and messages. For some, the use of these resources was common. That’s why this feeling already existed.

However, in a recent study carried out by researchers from the universities of Indiana and Purdue in the United States, it became clear that university students are more likely to feel the effects of the syndrome.

The study collected data from 290 people. Of the total, 258 said they had the sensation that their cell phone was vibrating at least once in 15 days. But experts emphasize that this is a sensation, not a disease, so there is no need to be alarmed.

Stay tuned

As experts have previously stated, having the impression that your device is ringing or vibrating is part of everyday life, that is, it is a habit, not a disorder. But it is still necessary to be aware when this happens several times throughout the day. According to experts, this can be a trigger that implies cases of anxiety.

Researchers note that people are more susceptible to Phantom Vibration Syndrome when they are more emotionally vulnerable. Therefore, they need to be careful that their connection to their cell phone does not disconnect them from real life.

Research from the University of California in the US and Humboldt University in Germany has shown that people become more stressed when they are interrupted while working. Distractions make people feel pressured to get back to work, and the appeal of their cell phones makes this task more difficult.

Recommendations

To alleviate this feeling of needing to be connected and anxious all the time with your cell phone, it is recommended that you set aside time away from your cell phone throughout the day. This could be a time for activity, such as exercising, or leisure, such as watching a movie or spending time with your children.

This helps prevent the feeling that your phone is vibrating all the time and ensures greater connection with the present for people with anxiety. What about you? Do you have difficulty moving away from your cell phone? Have you ever had an experience similar to Phantom Vibration Syndrome?