Deepika, 32 years old, mother of a precocious three-year old, and project manager at a software company, can't get through the day without her cell phone. In the mornings, the cell phone serves as alarm clock.

The stroke-of-genius reminder feature helps her make to-do lists and juggle her roles as wife, mother, daughter, and professional.

En route to work, she manages to check on her kid, instruct the maid on various chores, and set up a dinner date with hubby via SMS, and pay utility bills.

At work, clients prefer calling her on her cell, rather than wait to be transferred by the receptionist.

In the evening, she often takes conference calls on her cell, while supervising her son's homework, or listens to music.

Late at night, after her son is in bed, she speaks to her parents, and then catches up with her large circle of friends via SMS.

When her husband complains about her habit of SMSing late into the night, she gets annoyed. "How else will I keep in touch with what's happening with my friends? It's not often that I can take out time to meet them," she complains.

Addiction Quiz

Like Deepika, many of us are guilty of indiscriminate use of the cell phone.

Here's a quick quiz that will help you recognize the symptoms of cell phone addiction.

1. Are you and your cell as inseparable as Siamese twins?

2. Do you experience withdrawal symptoms if you haven't messaged for more than half an hour?

3. Do you keep checking your phone for messages and missed calls every few minutes throughout the day?

4. Do you make excuses to avoid attending events where you may be forced to turn off your cell?

5. Has excessive cell phone use cost you a job or a relationship?

6. When you're with friends or your spouse, do they complain that you're always talking on the phone, rather than talking to them?

7. Do you compulsively switch to the latest cell phone model every few months?

8. Do you constantly pet, stroke, or admire your cell?

9. Has your circle of friends and acquaintances shrunk to include only those people who own cell phones?

If you answered yes to most of these questions, it's likely that you're addicted to your cell.

The Perils of Cell Phone Addiction

So what if I'm addicted to my cell, you might say. There's no harm in it, is there? There have been mixed opinions about cell phone addiction. Consider the following: