Warning about online discussion of mental health problems

Do not discuss mental problems with Facebook & Co.

22.07.2011

Experts warn against discussing psychological issues such as depression or eating disorders (anorexia nervosa) online in social networks. Although the Internet-based discussions can be quite a useful addition to parallel ongoing therapeutic measures, but only if the discussion takes place in a sheltered room and the contents are erased over time, said the Chairman of the German Society for Psychosomatic Medicine and Medical Psychotherapy (DGPM ), Wolfgang mustard.

From a public discussion of mental health problems in social networks such as Facebook or StudiVZ be discouraged in any case, because „Often privacy is not adequately protected“, warned the DGPM chairman. The information was for years by employers, colleagues or acquaintances visible, which could bring more problems. Although the exchange via a website offers a helpful supplement to therapeutic measures, it does „the sensitive details of a lived depression, anorexia or anxiety disorder belong in a protected space“, explained mustard. For this the social networks are in the view of the DGPM chairman unsuitable, since „in Facebook and other networks people by name and in public about their mental health problems“ to discuss.

Positive effects of internet-based therapy approaches
The experts of the German Society for Psychosomatic Medicine and Medical Psychotherapy are extremely critical of the publication of personal psychological problems on the Internet, but at the same time emphasize that these internet-based therapeutic approaches „positive as a supplement to a professional face-to-face therapy“ are. According to the DGPM chairman, the online networks mainly offer „shameful topics or even in rural areas when the path to the next psychotherapeutic practice is far“, a very helpful option. Thomas Berger from the University of Bern added that the Internet forums, as an accompaniment to conventional psychotherapy, can increase their impact and significantly reduce the drop-out rate. Because, according to the experts, it helps many sufferers, if they have the opportunity in everyday life to talk spontaneously with other people about their problems.

Internet-based therapy approaches no alternative, but useful addition
However, the online discussion should always take place in protected areas - for example, forums on mental disorders - with registration and password-protected access. Also, an anonymous form of exchange under non-personalized user name should be possible and the contributions would have to be deleted after some time, the experts said. However, the socalled social networks in which the persons concerned disclose their personal information under their name are in no case recommended for the discussion of mental illness, according to the warning of the German Society for Psychosomatic Medicine and Medical Psychotherapy. The protected discussion in an appropriate forum, however, is only suitable for the accompanying discussion of mental health problems, these forums do not provide a substitute for personal contact with a psychotherapist, stressed the DGPM chairman Wolfgang mustard. (Fp)

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Picture credits: Gerd Altmann