The Age of "Ringxiety"

Sun Oct 14, 2007 11:13PM EDT

See Comments (21)

Ever hear or feel your phone ringing, you're sure of it, and when you rush to answer it... you discover it hadn't rung at all? More and more cell phone users are reporting hearing their "distinctive" ring tone or feeling their phone vibrating against their leg, only to find that it was all just a fantasy.

It's a phenomenon loosely termed "ringxiety" or "fauxcellarm," with some suggesting that cell phones have become part of the very fabric of people's lives, so much so that if they think have missed a call it has a profound psychological impact. The result is that many feel like their phone could be ringing, even if it isn't. (The phenomenon, I suspect, is very similar to new mothers who're sure they hear their baby crying, only do discover that the kid is fast asleep.)

Phantom vibrations may be purely psychological, but phantom ringing has a more scientific basis. This "psycho-acoustic phenomenon" is a complex issue related to how the brain processes sound in the 1KHz to 6KHz range, where most phone ringing is based. "Your brain is conditioned to respond to a phone ring just as it is to a baby crying," says one sound expert. 

As well, if you have a cell phone, you're probably just a little bit crazy. Frequent phone users, are simply "more anxious," says one psychiatrist. "They are on tenterhooks, waiting for the phone to ring."

Something to think about next time you turn your favorite song into a ringtone... 

LINK: Phantom vibrations shake "crackberry" addicts 

Comments on The Age of "Ringxiety"

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  • 6 Posted by mattmelen10 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:11PM EDT Report Abuse

    This is weird but i might post a video about this on you tube by the 31 of october look for hi266

  • 7 Posted by jayeman11 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:29PM EDT Report Abuse

    This is so true i hear my cell phone ringing.....and i chesck it but its not.

  • 9 Posted by dishkuvek on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:44PM EDT Report Abuse

    What about the other way around? I have a cell phone, and feel I can't live without one. But I feel anxious every single time the phone rings. Even when I can see that it's one of my friends, or family. I guess they call that old-fashioned "anxiety."

  • 10 Posted by final_station on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:59PM EDT Report Abuse

    Yes that sounds very familiar, not only with cellphones ringing or vibrating, but also with video games some times I hear that noise Mario makes when he collects coins or when the nuke alarm goes off on command and conquer.

  • 11 Posted by crazyguy411 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:30PM EDT Report Abuse

    LOL I think I had IM-xiety about 3 years ago, when in my dorm room I kept hearing AIM message sounds, even though I wasn't signed on, and I was sure my suitemates weren't IMing at the time too.

  • 12 Posted by taitleadford on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:54PM EDT Report Abuse

    I use mine all the time...My JOB depends on it...Sometimes it rings all the time...Yes I feel it vibrate when it does'nt..But on my days off I don't even look at it...Come to really hate it sometimes..But that is what pays the light bill...

  • 13 Posted by gayle.aday on Thu Oct 1, 2009 7:43PM EDT Report Abuse

    My husband uses over 7000 minutes a month. I'm going to have tjo put this theory to the test.

  • 14 Posted by seawav26 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:11PM EDT Report Abuse

    I agree with comment number 5, it has happened to me on vibrate and because of it I some times ignore real calls! LOL once i get home for the day I typically don't look at my phone again. I don't have a house phone either

  • 15 Posted by k_cizzle on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:55PM EDT Report Abuse

    This is total B.S. no one is addicted to their ............. .................................................................................................................................................................................... ......sorry, I thought I heard my phone ringing!

  • 17 Posted by janetraines on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:28PM EDT Report Abuse

    I often think my is vibrating when it is not. I have no land phone. My cell phone is with me almost always. They were designed for that purpose. To be mobile....take with you....

  • 18 Posted by choadachron808 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:23PM EDT Report Abuse

    I get the vibration all the time and notice its not actually happening. I am not a heavy cell user yet I feel the fake vibrations all the time.

  • 19 Posted by mthorn00 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:29PM EDT Report Abuse

    Wow "ringxiety", Things are definately getting out of control. I'm old enough to remember life "pre-cell phones" and how we got along fine without instant and constant communication with every hockey puck that wants to send us a "smiley". People need to get over themselves and come to grips with the fact that they aren't really that darned important and the World does not need to be in contact with them 24/7. Slow down a bit, relax and enjoy the ride. Just because you are busy all the time does not mean that you have a meaningful life.

  • 20 Posted by nomultiple on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:40PM EDT Report Abuse

    Another useless article to justify obsessive compulsive behavior. Time to prescribe an antidepressant right. Is it a wonder that our children are so neurotic and prone to make excuses for ridiculous conduct. And to rogueist, you hear it ringing before it actually rings, get help, fast. Preposterous!!! Does this happen with any other activity like having an orgasm, aka premature ejaculation?

  • 21 Posted by ke800 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:48PM EDT Report Abuse

    I gave up cell phones about five years ago. Granted there are those moments when a cell would make life slightly more convenient; but those are just moments. When I am out and see people incoherent of their immediate surroundings with an electronic device stuck to their face, it makes me chuckle at myself to think that I once was one of those so self absorbed in being somewhere else that I had no idea what was happening in front of me. My land line works just fine. And my messages are still there when I return to my desk. Friends are someimes shocked to find out that I remain celless, but I sometimes explain to them that I spent years paying Aides, Recepionists and Personal Assistants to keep people and phone calls away from me so I could accomplish things... anything. Peace be with you.

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