Germans addicted to texting

BERLIN (Reuters) - Growing numbers of Germans are becoming addicted to text-messaging, a German doctor has warned, estimating there are some 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," he said on Friday.


Amongst the most extreme cases were a teenage boy who spent 8,900 euros (6,000 pounds) 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.