Phobia of Official Letters?

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BERLIN - A German court has ruled against a woman who cited an unusual phobia in asking that her child support benefits be restored. The phobia: fear of the contents of official letters.

Evidence in the case before a court in western Rhineland-Palatinate state said the woman, who it did not identify, was sent a letter in May 2007 asking that she supply evidence to support continued payments for her daughter.

After she failed to respond, she was notified in July 2007 that the money was being cut off and that she was being given one month to appeal.

Only in September did she reply and supply the requested documents, telling authorities she had a phobia of official correspondence. Officials threw out her appeal because it was too late.

The women told the court that she was and still is petrified of the contents of official letters, but had been too ashamed to seek psychological treatment.

But the court rejected her argument, saying it was a long-term problem and that she had had plenty of time to seek help.