I can't begin to tell you how much this news depresses me.
I guess I should just post an opus and be done with it...
Posted on 02/02/2010 8:42:58 PM PST by NormsRevenge
LONDON (Reuters) – People who spend a lot of time surfing the internet are more likely to show signs of depression, British scientists said on Wednesday.
But it is not clear whether the internet causes depression or whether depressed people are drawn to it.
Psychologists from Leeds University found what they said was "striking" evidence that some avid net users develop compulsive internet habits in which they replace real-life social interaction with online chat rooms and social networking sites.
"This study reinforces the public speculation that over-engaging in websites that serve to replace normal social function might be linked to psychological disorders like depression and addiction," the study's lead author, Catriona Morrison, wrote in the journal Psychopathology.
"This type of addictive surfing can have a serious impact on mental health."
In the first large-scale study of Western young people to look at this issue, the researchers analyzed internet use and depression levels of 1,319 Britons aged between 16 and 51.
Of these, 1.2 percent were "internet addicted", they concluded.
These "internet addicts" spent proportionately more time browsing sexually gratifying websites, online gaming sites and online communities, Morrison said. They also had a higher incidence of moderate to severe depression than normal users.
"Excessive internet use is associated with depression, but what we don't know is which comes first -- are depressed people drawn to the internet or does the internet cause depression?," Morrison said.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Bummer!
We’ve had it!
So that explains it!
Are a bunch of these people depressed over what they got for “Fitzmas”?
But it is not clear whether the internet causes depression or whether depressed people are drawn to it.
good luck trying to find a causative mechanism...my bet is on the latter.
“British scientists” is the new oxymoron.
If there were two words that don’t go together, these two are it.
Logging out now!
One must wonder on how many of these ‘addicts’ actually oppose sharia law in the motherland.
I was going to say something, but, well ... it’s like ... oh, why bother.
REading about Obama’s Daily dosages of destruction upon America depresses me...
Maybe I’m spending too much time on the Internet.
Can someone direct me to where the bread and circus’s are?
I can't begin to tell you how much this news depresses me.
I guess I should just post an opus and be done with it...
Ah, who cares? What difference does it make? Nothing really matters anymore anyhow.
I think that reading about obama EVERYDAY would depress anyone.
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