Internet and depression

According to a study conducted by Leeds University, people that spend too much time on line are more likely to develop depression symptoms. The researches found out that some users develop such convulsive habits on line that replaced social interactions with chat sites and social networks.

The leading author of the study, Catriona Morrison, stated: “The Internet now plays an important role in modern life, but its benefits are accompanied by a darker side”. She also noted that the study indicates that excessive Internet use is associated with depression, but have not yet been clarified which factor leads to the other.

While completing the study it was evaluated the levels of depression of 1.329 persons between 16 and 51 years old. Of them, a 1.2% was classified as internet addicts.

Psychiatrist Ivan Goldberg was the first one in diagnostic Internet addiction, back in 1995.

By Patricia Rivero.