BOSTON -- New research indicates chronic text messengers may be suffering from a mental illness.

According to an article in the American Journal of Psychiatry, if you text too much, you could have a problem.

Some people realize they are excessive texters but continue their ways.

"I text morning, noon and night, and it adds up to about 3,000 to 5,000 a month. It is bad," Nikki Brown said.

"People can get really addicted to it because you can get away with it when you are not supposed to be. It is a lot more incognito than talking on the phone, and you can be in a meeting or in school," said Brooke Smith.

Experts say there are four distinct symptoms to diagnosing texting as a mental illness. They include excessive use, withdrawal, tolerance for excessive texting and negative repercussions, such as getting into arguments about not being able to use text messaging.