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Internet and depression: False friends

Internet use has grown exponentially around the world in recent years. An internet connection has become an essential tool for work, communication and leisure, with numerous aspects of our lives directly dependent on it. According to recent publications, currently more than 5 billion people use the internet, representing 67.9% of the population, with a growth of 1392% in the last 22 years.

 

Despite the fact that the internet has become fundamental to our daily lives, in recent years terms such as “problematic use of the internet,” “pathological use of the Internet” or “internet addiction” have become common when referring to the internet as an element capable of provoking addictive and dependent behaviour. Given the complications derived from abusive use of the internet and the need to address this problem, a literature review was carried out on how addiction to new technologies develops and its possible relationship to other mental disorders such as depression.

 

How is internet addiction identified?

Although it is not among the diagnoses listed in the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders proposed by the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-V), there are many authors who propose diagnostic criteria which define internet addiction, among which are:

 

• An uncontrollable desire to use the internet.
• Increased time spent online.
• Anxiety and agitation in the face of deprivation.
• Deterioration of social and family life (isolation and interpersonal conflict).
• Impaired executive ability.

It is also assumed that internet addiction may be a disorder of impulse control, even though it is not related to consumption of a substance.

 
 

Can misuse of the internet encourage depression?

Among the studies which describe problematic internet usage, many have investigated the possible association between internet addiction and other psychiatric disorders such as depression. Previous reviews have established significant associations between internet addiction and other conditions such as alcoholism, attention and hyperactivity disorders, and anxiety disorders. Different uses of the internet can influence this association; problems of internet addiction and psychiatric disorders are noted in the abuse of mobile phones, social media, online gambling and pornography.

 

Over the last 10 years, studies reviewed link the likelihood of having an internet addiction to the likelihood of depression. Some studies suggest that internet addiction shares biological mechanisms with depression.

 

It is also believed that internet addiction could reduce the effect of some protective factors for depression, which would increase vulnerability to its development.

 

One of the most interesting findings is the important influence of self-esteem levels as a mediating factor for the emergence of depression and internet addiction: subjects with low self-esteem are at higher risk of developing depression and turn to the internet to try to improve their self-perception. However, improper use of the internet can have negative effects on self-esteem. This finding can be particularly relevant among adolescents, a group which is especially vulnerable to developing addictions and depressive disorders.
 

As with other drug dependencies, the self-medication hypothesis could also explain internet addiction. According to this theory, people with depressive symptoms make excessive use of the internet in an attempt to alleviate their poor mood. This situation leads to a vicious cycle in which the negative effects of internet overuse intensify depressive symptoms, leading to an attempt to alleviate these symptoms by turning to the internet.

 

As for other clinical factors which may influence the findings of this review, conditions such as insomnia, anxiety or stress are also frequently related to depression and internet addiction.

 

Conclusions

• There is a positive association between the likelihood of having an internet addiction and the likelihood of having depression, which could be bidirectional; having an internet addiction may increase the risk of depression, and vice versa.

 

• Internet addiction may increase the risk of depression directly (acting as a risk factor) and indirectly (acting negatively on protective factors).

 

• Low self-esteem and substance abuse are associated with a higher probability of developing internet addiction and depression.

 

• Understanding the risks, implementing preventative measures and requesting professional help could avoid complications arising from problematic use of the internet and other associated conditions.

If you think that you or someone in your environment needs help, ask for specialist evaluation in our psychiatry/psychology department.

Dr. Luis Jiménez Suárez
Psychiatrist

 

 

August 1, 2024

 

 

 

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