<b>A Suffolk woman who forgot to put on her FitBit bracelet suffered a day of distress and separation trauma normally associated with the death of a close family member, psychologists have confirmed.</b>

Sophie Richards took her bracelet off for an early-morning shower, and while traveling to work later she realised she had not put it on again.



She broke out into a sweat and had terrible pangs of grief and remorse, knowing her calories burned, steps taken, and heart rate would not be recorded for a whole day.

<center><a href="http://www.suffolkgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/image-2.jpeg" rel="attachment wp-att-2762"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2762" src="http://www.suffolkgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/image-2.jpeg" alt="image" width="2200" height="1415" /></a><i>Sophie Richards with her beloved FitBit fitness bracelet</i></center>

Dr Anne Ringrose, a psychologist working at the University of Suffolk, said: "Fitness fanatics have become so attached to these bracelets that they suffer terribly when separated from them.

"The loss they feel is akin to the death of a loved one or a pet, or going through a painful relationship split."

Miss Richards, 24, of Lowestoft, said: "It was the worst feeling of my life. I spent the whole day staring at my naked wrist, worried about my calories and whether I should go for a five-minute walk.

"I couldn't wait to get home to put the FitBit on again."

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