Social Networks Triggers Depression?

Tweets of a young woman suffering from depression raises great sympathy for the benefits and risks of social networks

After the young blogger Jana Seelig from Berlin publicly reported her depression on Twitter, the reactions in the network were so numerous that shortly the hashtag #notjustsad was created. This is reported by the doctors newspaper. As a result, thousands of those affected commented via Twitter on their own experiences with the disease and how their environment deals with it. But analogous to the overwhelming sympathy and discussion of depression after the death Robert Enkes, also in this case, the public interest in the social networks quickly after, so that raises the question of the benefits and the risks of such hashtags. Can they really help or hurt them?.

In any case, the young blogger from Berlin is convinced that many affected people have used their tweet as an opportunity to stand out from the sun and publicly comment on their own depression. And some would have found out in the first place through the discussion that they are not only bad-tempered but depressive. She tells herself she did not receive the diagnosis until she was 22, „because I let myself be persuaded that I was just in a bad mood.“

Animated discussions in the net
While they are increasingly annoyed by the reality of those affected, they can freely express themselves in the anonymity of the network, experience that they are not alone, and even receive encouragement.

But not by all discussion participants. Because there are also hurtful posts in the network. In addition, there is a wear of the effect, as you can clearly see in the case of Robert Enke. At that time there was a long and extensive discussion about the widespread disease, without the stigma actually having changed. There is no room for depression in our performance society.

Only depression, which is diagnosed as performance-related burnout, is something of a recognition in society. "To be depressed and to be depressed is a very big difference", tweeted Jana Seelig. She was fed up with the accusations and good advice to pull herself together.

Basically, the social networks could have the potential to keep a public discussion going and reduce the stigma of those affected because, after all, 75 percent of Germans are registered in at least one network. Most to communicate, some just to inform. For example, several interest groups have joined forces in social networks such as Facebook. By contrast, official organizations are barely found in these climes. At the same time, the few information campaigns should be placed exactly where the affected persons are: into the digital web.

Warning of public abuse
In fact, help with the question of benefits and harm of networks only a sober consideration of the discussions. There have been many negative reports about social networks in the past. Accordingly, make Facebook fat, jealous, jealous, stupid, unhappy, poor and drive teens even in the worst depression. Thus, US peddlers also warned against abuses in social networks, which drive young people into suicide. Given the relatively short time span in which social networks have become socially relevant, there is still little scientific evidence that could provide information about their true utility. There are no risks for users, especially in the area of ​​data protection. However, those who want to stand up for their concerns effectively in public will not be able to do without using the networks.

However, anyone looking for concrete help beyond the social web and the conventional treatment methods with antidepressants and psychotherapy can find them in naturopathic treatment methods. In mild cases, St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum), lemon balm, Indian basil and rose help. In addition, help the light therapy to compensate for the lack of natural light. From the field of relaxation techniques that provide adequate stress management, meditation, yoga, tai chi, autogenic training, progressive muscle relaxation or the learning of certain breathing techniques should be considered as viable treatment approaches. The use of homeopathy, Bach flower remedies, acupuncture and kinesiology could help many people. (Sb)