Hand held computers and portable email devices are routine in many walks of life, including medicine. These devices facilitate working from home or while in transit, allowing busy individuals never to be “out to lunch.” However, they can also make it harder to achieve a healthy work-life balance, intruding into one's time away from work.
In view of concerns over behavioural addiction to these new technologies, with consequent negative impact on other aspects of life, I have devised a short screening test (based on the CAGE questionnaire for alcoholism) for pathological addiction to hand held devices:
Do you get annoyed if you are asked to Stop using your hand held device?
Do you take your hand held device on Holiday with you?
Do you get Anxious if you cannot find your hand held device?
Do you ever Misperceive a sound as the ring tone or call sign of your hand held device?
If you answer yes to all four of the SHAM questions, then you should consider taking a period of abstinence from your hand held device. Others around you may find a period of abstinence changes you for the better.