Too Much Internet May Lead to Depression

(August 3, 2010) - Spending hours and hours on the Internet can lead to isolation and depression. (Read about "Depressive Illnesses") Teens who use the Internet pathologically appear more likely to develop depression than those who do not, according to a report that will appear in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Since the mid-1990s, pathological (uncontrolled or unreasonable) Internet use has been identified as a problematic behavior with signs and symptoms similar to those of other addictions (Read about "Addiction"), according to background information in the article. Such use has been associated with relationship problems, physical ill health, aggressive behaviors and other psychiatric symptoms.

Researchers studied pathological Internet use and later mental health problems among 1,041 teens (average age 15). Participants were assessed for depression and anxiety (Read about "Anxiety") using previously validated scales. They also completed a questionnaire to identify pathological Internet use, including questions that reflect typical behaviors of addiction (for instance, "How often do you feel depressed, moody or nervous when you are off-line, which goes away once you are back online?).

At the beginning of the study, 6.2 percent were classified as having moderately pathological use of the Internet, and 0.2 percent were severely at risk. Nine months later, the adolescents were re-assessed for anxiety and depression; 0.2 percent had significant anxiety symptoms and 8.4 percent had developed depression. The risk of depression for those who used the Internet pathologically was about two and a half times that of those who did not. No relationship was observed between pathological Internet use and anxiety.

"This result suggests that young people who are initially free of mental health problems but use the Internet pathologically could develop depression as a consequence," the authors write.