Phantom Vibration
There’s a new phenomenon that began five, maybe even ten years ago. I’m guessing it affects men far more often than it affects women. I’ve discussed this problem with many men and the overwhelming majority seems to have this affliction: phantom vibration.
I’m one of those folks who decided to cancel the home telephone line and went strictly cell. That means I have my cell phone on me at most times, usually in my left pocket. Most of the time I have the phone on vibrate. Since I made the switch, I tend to suffer from a phenomena that’s akin to one that affects amputees. See, following the removal or a body part, many amputees will mention that they still have sensations where their amputated arm or leg once was. This sensation has been dubbed “phantom limb.”
Now, what I experience is quite a bit different and doesn’t come with the costly loss of a leg or arm, but I often feel a false vibration in my left pocket. And when this happens sometimes my phone is in there, while other times my phone isn’t even in the pocket. It really doesn’t matter if the pocket is full, it just happens. I feel these vibrations at least once daily and completely at random. Of course, you go to pull your phone out of your pocket only to discover that there wasn’t a call, which just reaffirms the notion that no one loves you anyway.
If gone unchecked, phantom vibration could have costly implications for the mental health of men in Western society. Something must be done.
