Phantom ringing syndrome is the millennial condition you probably suffer from

But what is it?

Living life day to day as a millennial is like navigating a minefield.

You can't even date without being confronted with a modern phenomenon - Kittenfishing, Scrooging, Roaching, Submarining, Stashing, Haunting - the list goes on.

And if you thought avoiding online dating would make you immune, we have some bad news for you, because millennial phenomenons aren't limited to dating apps, just to technology, something we all use every day.

The latest issue everyone's talking about? Phantom Ringing Syndrome.

No don't worry, this has nothing to do with ghosts. But it does have everything to do with your phone.

What is phantom ringing syndrome?

Phantom ringing syndrome is the belief that your phone is ringing when it actually isn't, and repeatedly checking. It is also called ringxiety, a term coined by psychologist David Laramie, and linked to phantom vibration syndrome - the mistaken sensation that your phone is vibrating when in your pocket.

Is phantom ringing syndrome common?

Yes, phantom ringing syndrome is very common, especially among millennials. In fact, according to CBS news, one study of over 290 US college students showed that '90 percent of them sometimes felt the phantom phone sensations' and 40% said it happened 'at least once a week'.

What causes phantom ringing syndrome?

According to The Independent, Dr Robert Rosenberger at the Georgia Institute of Technology reported that the phenomenon is caused by 'learned bodily habits.'

'Through bodily habit, your phone actually becomes a part of you, and you become trained to perceive the phone's vibrations as an incoming call or text,' he reportedly explained. 'So, due to these kinds of habits, it becomes really easy to misperceive other similar sensations.'

Recognise the symptoms? Yup, us too.

Maybe Christmas is time for a screen break.