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Texting Addiction

Experts say that anyone who texts constantly and sends between 3,000 and 5,000 texts per month probably has a problem with compulsive texting -- also known as texting addiction. What happens is that the user cannot walk away from the texting device, feeling an obsessive need to constantly send and receive texts.

Symptoms of Texting Addiction

But there are four distinct symptoms that psychiatrists use to diagnosing texting as a mental illness:

• Excessive use – to the point where day-to-day activities are neglected

• Withdrawal – feeling depressed when texting is not accessible

• Tolerance – feeling the need to do more and more texting

• Negative repercussion – when texting compulsively leads to social isolation

Treatment for Texting Addiction

Although unheard of just a few years ago, there are increasing numbers of individuals who have sought help to overcome their texting addiction. Psychological counseling is often required to help the individual uncover underlying problems which may be masked by their compulsive texting behavior.

Learning how to cope with stress, problems at home, work or school, relationship problems or mental health difficulties may also be part of the overall treatment program to help those with texting addiction learn to adopt healthier behaviors.

See also sexting

--Suzannekane 17:39, 8 July 2011 (MDT)