angelrose
Very Well-Known Member
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/07/11/1089484242565.html?from=storylhs
Text addiction
July 12, 2004
Growing numbers of people are becoming addicted to text-messaging, a German doctor has warned, estimating there are about 380,000 sufferers nationwide.
Psychotherapist Andreas Herter based his prediction on the growing proportion of manic mobile phone users among patients arriving at his clinic for addiction therapy in Hanover.
"Text message addiction is a real and serious illness because it causes mental and financial damage," said Herter, author of a book on sex therapy.
"The problem leads to depression and personality disorders, not to mention spiralling phone bills."
Among the most extreme cases were a teenage boy who spent 8,900 euros ($15,325) compulsively texting people he didn't even know, and a married couple who could only communicate by text message, even when they were sitting side by side.
Reuters
Text addiction
July 12, 2004
Growing numbers of people are becoming addicted to text-messaging, a German doctor has warned, estimating there are about 380,000 sufferers nationwide.
Psychotherapist Andreas Herter based his prediction on the growing proportion of manic mobile phone users among patients arriving at his clinic for addiction therapy in Hanover.
"Text message addiction is a real and serious illness because it causes mental and financial damage," said Herter, author of a book on sex therapy.
"The problem leads to depression and personality disorders, not to mention spiralling phone bills."
Among the most extreme cases were a teenage boy who spent 8,900 euros ($15,325) compulsively texting people he didn't even know, and a married couple who could only communicate by text message, even when they were sitting side by side.
Reuters
