I think it's just as real as anything else one becomes attached to. When it's taken away, their is a natural tendency for withdrawal. Case in point, I'll use two personal examples: My Cell Phone and my Computer. In the case of my Cell Phone, even though I was never obsessive about it like most people are, when I finally cut the cord and cancelled my contract and went cold turkey, I still went through an adjustment period of it being gone and this coming from someone that really didn't give a f*ck about even having one to begin with. So, those that live and die by their phones today, I can see how it can be a problem when suddenly face to face without one.
As for my Computer, I definitely fall into the category of "obsessive" because I do so much with it, be it work related, entertainment and checking in on what Mac, Neumatic and the rest of Penny Can are doing. A couple of times when my PC went belly up and I had to take it in for repairs, ranging from 1-2 weeks turn around time, I went through major withdrawals. I didn't know what to do with myself. Even TV couldn't fix the problem. I was cut off from the "outside world", even though it actually sent me.....outside. Ack! I don't miss my phone. Not one bit. Glad to be done with it. But I couldn't function without my PC. I'd go stir crazy if I knew I'd be without it for an extended period of time.