Internet Addiction and Depression

Different scientific research studies confirm that increasing level of depression is strongly associated with Internet addiction. In other words, excessive personal Internet usage and clinically identified depression symptoms are strongly correlated with each other. However, studies suggest that accuracy of the evaluation of personal Internet usage and clinical symptoms of depression can be improved if detected at the earlier phases. Few integral factors such as low self-esteem, weakened motivation, a sense of insecurity, fear of rejection, need for endorsement as linked with depression are believed to be the most influential factors contributing Internet usage. Several studies have actually affirmed Internet addiction is directly correlated with intense sense of anxiety and acute depression. Internet dependents show their anxiety by various modes of operation such as checking emails in mid-night after suddenly waking from sleep or the first early morning craving is connecting to the Internet. The perceived detachment from reality, inadequate sleep, and persistent anxiety of not being online for hours, social isolation, and occupational dysfunctional condition all leads the individual to experience a sense of extreme depression. The irony of this problem is, similar to other sort of depression that the individual will depend on the Internet itself to get a relief from this stress, anxiety and depression, resulting in more depression as well, the vicious cycle continues.

In recent days, many researchers believe Internet addiction may act as a mask for teenage depression. As expounded by Dr. Sang Kyu Lee from Hallym University in Chunchon, Korea, when an adolescent is feeling depressed, he or she will try to spend time online. The relation between time spending over Internet and level of depression is directly proportionate to each other. The study conducted by Dr. Sang Kyu Lee has found at least 11% of the adolescent participants are Internet addicted and these individuals have scored for highest degree of depression also. Depression leads the adolescents to become more preoccupied with Internet than adolescents without depression. It is mainly because they find their fulfillments from Internet. But the time they spend over Internet make them isolated from others while increasing their level of anxiety and depression itself, eventually leads the adolescent experience a never-ending cycle of depression and anxiety.