Study: People Who Are Constantly Online Can Develop Mental Disorders

ATTN: ATS Addicts!!!

Get off that computer. A new study finds that constantly being online can affect your mental health.

I can personally vouch for this, as for the last two months, I have been doing much less computing/gaming and much more outdoor, physical activities. I have not felt better in a long time. I've given up gaming all together and started bicycling, hiking and swimming instead. It has done wonders for my outlook and feelings of depression.

“High quantitative use was a central link between computer use and stress, sleep disturbances, and depression, described by the young adults,” Thomee said in the study. “It was easy to spend more time than planned at the computer (e.g., working, gaming, or chatting), and this tended to lead to time pressure, neglect of other activities and personal needs (such as social interaction, sleep, physical activity), as well as bad ergonomics, and mental overload.”

The study found a correlation between stress and always being available on the phone.

“Demands for availability originated not only from work and the social network, but also from the individual’s own ambitions or desires. This resulted in disturbances when busy or resting, the feeling of never being free, and difficulties separating work and private life,” Thomee explained in the study. “Unreturned calls or messages led to overload and feelings of guilt.”

Even people who played video games online faced a greater risk of suffering from depression.
(strange that it was women)

“Daily computer gaming for 1–2 hours meant an increased risk for symptoms of depression in the women,

CBS Source Link

I am inclined to believe it is vice versa.

Doesnt sound like it's actually being at a computer at all.

Sounds like it's procrastinating, sitting and burning out.

Any number of things can cause those symptoms.

Here's a novel idea, stop procrastinating, sitting all day and practice some moderation with work and recreation.

Do they develop mental disorders because they are constantly online? Or are they constantly online because they have mental disorders?

reply to post by freakjive


I believe it. What the article/study doesn't address is the people that cling to the internet/games because they are already stressed, insomniacs, and depressed.

For some of those people the internet is the only way they can escape from a life they don't like.

The study found a correlation between stress and always being available on the phone.

Certainly a source of stress for me. The fact that anyone can reach me at any time tends to make me paranoid, but hey, that's me.

Good post. Thanks.

People who watch too much TV develop mental disorders too.

reply to post by nixie_nox


reply to post by Sparky63


You and Sparky may have a point.

However, I'm fit to believe in the cause for depression for what I mentioned above. I was seriously down in the dumps after the last year of being online constantly. After a week of getting out and about and stopping the gaming, I immediately felt better. It's truly amazing how much better as well.

People who were depressed to begin with might spend too much time online and that can cause depression to worsen. It can be like any other addiction. It eventually takes its toll. It can be highly addictive and detrimental to your health, physically and mentally.

Spending too much of your online time on conspiracy forums can trigger or worsen mental disorders.
Taking a long break and focusing on other recreational activities can be beneficial.

It's all about focusing. If you're focusing too much on one thing, you can't possibly focus on other things, it's just that simple.