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Study: Heavy Internet Use Linked To Depression

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Feb 3, 2010 5:57 pm US/Mountain

Study: Heavy Internet Use Linked To Depression

Reporting
Dr. Dave Hnida
DENVER (CBS4) ― Researchers in Great Britain have linked heavy use of the Internet to depression. The study from Leeds University in England found spending a lot of time on the Web was associated with chemical changes in the brain along with symptoms that are identical to those seen in clinical depression.

"The problem is the study doesn't say whether the Internet depress you, or if you log on because you're depressed," CBS4 Medical Editor Dr. Dave Hnida said, "The study also does not say how much time signals a problem.

"So how can you tell if this is a problem for you? There are some red flags," Hnida said.

Hnida said to ask yourself the following questions:

"Are you unable to concentrate on real life when you spend hours away from your computer?

"Is your e-mail the first stop on your surfing trip and you have anxiety until you check your mailbox?

"Do you prefer screen time to getting out in the world for real social interaction?

"Do you neglect work or home obligations to check out or post on the Net?

"And finally, do you intend to log on for just a few minutes but end up staying for a few hours? If you're answering yes, you may want to think about your mental state," Hnida said.

"But personally, I think the depression link goes both ways. Logging on may be a safe self-treatment if your symptoms are mild and you're taking care of yourself in other ways, like exercise and perhaps seeing your doctor. But don't under-estimate the value of personal contact."

(© MMX CBS Television Stations, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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