Medical professionals across the United Arab Emirates are raising concerns about the psychological phenomenon known as nomophobia—the irrational anxiety experienced when separated from mobile devices. This condition, while not formally recognized as a standalone diagnosis in psychiatric manuals, manifests through tangible symptoms including sleep disturbances, heightened irritability, concentration difficulties, and anxiety episodes when phones become inaccessible.
According to research cited in the International Journal of Research Studies in Education, an astonishing 94% of American mobile users experience this condition, with UAE clinicians confirming parallel patterns emerging in Middle Eastern populations. Dr. Omar Bin Abdulaziz, Psychiatry Specialist at NMC Royal Hospital in Abu Dhabi, notes that patients rarely self-identify with nomophobia specifically, but present with related symptoms that reflect how deeply smartphones have integrated into daily existence.
The UAE’s hyper-connected environment, where phones serve as essential tools for work, family communication, and safety, creates particular vulnerability among adolescents and young adults. Dr. Sreevidhya Srinivas of Medcare Camali Clinic observes that digital connectivity’s central role in Emirati society has made phone dependency increasingly visible in clinical practice, with younger populations demonstrating reduced emotional resilience and poor sleep hygiene linked to device overuse.
Clinical red flags indicating problematic usage include compulsive checking behaviors, sleep pattern disruption, social withdrawal, declining academic or professional performance, and physiological reactions such as trembling or palpitations during phone separation. For adolescents, emotional dependence on digital validation and inability to cope with boredom without technological stimulation serve as additional warning signs.
Treatment approaches emphasize balance rather than prohibition, with clinicians recommending practical strategies such as phone-free bedrooms, gradual disconnection periods, and reduced non-essential notifications. Family-based interventions prove particularly effective for younger demographics, combining clear boundaries with parental modeling of healthy device usage. Mental health professionals simultaneously address underlying anxiety or mood disorders that frequently contribute to unhealthy phone dependence.
While comprehensive UAE-specific data remains limited, regional studies suggest similar trends throughout Arab nations, particularly affecting young adults and female demographics. Despite its non-classified status in diagnostic manuals, nomophobia has become a regular screening consideration in Emirati clinical settings, reflecting growing professional recognition of technology’s psychological impact.