Depressed People Online: U maybe mentally ill (house, articles, story)

[sun queen]

I was watching the news the other day and they said a recent study shows depressed people go online a lot, but they didn't know if being online causes people to be depressed or if depressed people go online as a coping mechanism. I have been online a lot I hope I not suffering from a mental disorder... And I know I am not alone online. Hey do u think there is any merit in the study?

[toosie]

I think there's merit to that theory and believe that the cause/effect goes both ways.

[BigMike50]

I think it would be the opposite in my case.....I get depressed when I can't get on-line

[RichardW]

Quite possibly, anyway back in 2002 some shrink decided I had "Asperger Sydrome" not that I've ever bought into it. So maybe it means I am mentally ill.

[wit-nit]

Here's a survey story about depressed people using the internet. It also states that users of the internet are not all depressed people.

Survey Claims Some Depressed People Use The Internet A Lot | Techdirt

[PA2UK]

My time spent online has always been the same regardless of my happiness or lack there of. What does change is the effect the internet has on me - when depressed, I let things people say on the internet bother me. When happy, I may still be opinionate on the internet but I don't get upset by it.

[Coolhand68]

The internet serves as an escape, just like television, radio, or any other distraction people use to keep their minds occupied. I don't think there is any direct correlation between depression and internet usage. It just goes with the territory. People who are depressed typically crawl into a shell, and either don't leave the house much or don't interact much with other people in person. It's an outlet, and for many it's probably therapeutic.

[Thursday007]

Via CNN:

Survey Claims Some Depressed People Use The Internet A Lot

Survey Claims Some Depressed People Use The Internet A Lot | Techdirt (http://techdirt.com/article.php?sid=20100203%2F0200588021&threaded=tru e&sp=1 - broken link)

[Dbl-r]

I never thought of it that way or about it that way.........now I'm depressed to think it might be right......I need to go now sorry...

[gr8doglove]

I wasn't depressed until I opened this thread.

Actually, I agree very much with what Coolhand68 said.