In modern America, one in every ten adults—about two million, total—suffers from a depressive illness every year. Depression exists in many forms, but most of its victims suffer from extreme “sadness, inactivity, difficulty in thinking and concentration…feelings of dejection and hopelessness, and sometimes suicidal tendencies” (Dictionary, 2011). Traditionally, people have turned to therapists and prescription medication to them cope with this debilitating illness; however, more recently, they have been exploring a more accessible tool—the internet. Consequently, the internet is transforming the way people cope with mental illnesses, but the question is: how?
Demographic Breakdown
¡ People between the ages of 18 and 29 are most likely to access the internet for mental health information.
¡ Some websites are popular between certain age group: § Healingwell.com caters to older audiences § Ehealthforums.com caters to younger audiences
¡ People obtain to assemble with those most similar to them: § Similar to real life social situations
Websites that we have referenced:
Ehealthforums.com
Global rank is 5873
US rank is 2,484
According to Alexa.com, it is most commonly used by females, ages 18-34, at home, with no children and some college education.
HealingWell.com
Global rank is 26,523
US Rank is 9,419
According to Alexa.com, it is most commonly used by females, ages 45 -64,at home, with no children and some college education.
Patientlikeme.com
Global rank is 77,440
US Rank is 22,793
According to Alexa.com, it is most commonly used by females, ages 25-54 and 65+, at work, with no children and is or was in graduate school.
BluePeople.com
Global rank is 383,635
Has No US Rank Available.
According to Alexa.com, it is most commonly used by females, ages 35-54, at home, with children and some college/graduate education.
These Sites Provide: Anonymous Access: You will be allowed to access these resources without an authentication.Free Social Support: You will have free access to people that are willing to give you emotional comfort during your time of need. People with Shared Interests: You will be able to meet new people that are going through the same shared issues and problems as you.Social Healers: You will also meet people whose sole purpose is to create meaning, relationship and health in the hearts of those who need them the most.
Through our research, we theorized that people like to talk about their depression in to distinct categories: Hopeless and Hopeful Hopeful: In this category individuals turn to the internet about their depression to find answers. They feel like there are others out there that can help and that they can relate to. Hopeless: In this category individuals feel like they there is no one there that will understand them and no one that will be able to help them.
Hopeless
Hopeful
“I told my sister (about the abuse) and she laughed while I poured my heart out…haven’t eaten for 2days because she's been out with this guy…tried killing myself 12 times…I just feel like im at a dead end because no one can help me get out of this, if I try to express my feelings such as crying or getting angry, I get shouted at or beaten up and I get told to get over it. Im not allowed to be me. I just want to die.”
—Health Forums
“I need some advice on diagnosing what I am going through, which I think is either some kind of depression or some kind of weird thing… Empty…. Pessimistic…. Worthless”
I am 18 and since I was about 12 I have felt like that everything would be better if I was dead. I try not to feel like this and put up everyday but no matter what I do all I want to do is end the pain. I have self harmed since I was 12 I used to do it on my arms then the teachers started asking questions so I started doing it on my legs and the top of my legs so no one gets hurt by seeing what I do yto myself, I know everyone probally thinks im just a stupid teenager.I lost quite a few friends as they thought I was just attention seeking so ever since I have kept it to myself. I don't know what to do. Where can i get a gun.
-Healingwell.com
Hi, I know I'm new to this but it was great to talk to some folks who understand. My son's 13th birthday is today and thank god he went to work with his dad. He had the day off from school. I was in a panic as to what I was going to do with him that would be fun. I'm having a hard time being or having much fun. I did get out to my therapist appointment and was motivated enough to stop at toys r us to buy Ben one of the Star Wars figures that was on his list. Got to the grocery store to buy him a cake and a few things. Its more than I have done in one day in a while. I couldn't wait to get home. His dmh worker called and suggested that I sign up for dmh assisstance to get some help in the home for myself. I guess its a good idea. She said since I have a chronic illness that I would be approved. My mood was stable until I spoke with her then I couldn't stop crying. My husband wants to take Ben out to dinner so I need to pull it together and I think I have. I have to keep telling myself that its okay not to be a barrell of laughs. It is just pouring buckets here and hard to motivate myself to go out again but I will. ~Cookie
-Healingwell.com
**fw2010** Junior Member Join Date: Jan 26 2010 Location New Jersey Age 55 Posts 5 Blog Entries 2
Middle aged man, no job, depressed
Hello; I am a 50+yr old guy with no job for the past 3-1/2 years, and not much hope of getting anything that I could tolerate. I was working in the field of electronics, as a high level tek, but with no college degree, it would be difficult to get back into the field if I wanted to. But at this point, I do not. I am depressed most of the time, although I get reprieve by running. I am doing a full marathon (my 10th) on Sunday, so I am looking forward to it, and the great feeling it produces afterwards. But that will last only a few days or so, then I'll slip right back into this hopeless despair. I had to move back with my parents when I lost my job in June 2007. I have been paying my bills (my parents are buying the food, and paying the other bills, but I have to pay my own insurance) from my savings, and that will run out in a little more than a year at the rate I am using it now. So I get depressed about all of that, and what will I do once the money does run out. I hate the feeling that I am dependent on my parents, as though I were a teenager again. But at my age, it's really scary. And my parents won't live forever, so eventually I won't even have them, and I will be left homeless. I wish that I could get comfortable enough to take a job I didn't like, just to have some money, but with my current condition, I cannot. I would never be able to do the job if there wasn't some interest there. I need a reason to get up in the morning, and that was what was lacking during the last year of my old job. I would really like to write for a living, but have never taken any formal courses, and don't have much life experience to write about. I keep looking for something to cause a life changing experience for me, and with my running, I am just looking to run longer distances, perhaps more than 50 miles in one day. I love to run, but I am also doing it to try to change myself. Sometimes long distance runners have this "epiphany" that happens during a 100 mile endurance race, and that is the kind of thing I am looking for. It's as though I have never had to really push myself to the limits, and never really got to "know who I am". All that you are supposed to learn about yourself by age 30, I have still to learn at age 50. I honestly believe there is something wrong with my brain. I am taking antidepressant, and it does help, but not all that much. It just stops me from feeling paranoid about everyone around me. I live with my parents, my sister (who is also 50+), and her teenage daughter there is always something going on in the house, and sometimes I just want to be alone in quiet. I get annoyed at my 89 year old dad a lot, because he just doesn't get it, how I feel, and that I would sometimes just like to be left alone. He talks way too much, and I have trouble focusing on anything when he's talking. I seem to have this disorder that prevents my brain from properly filtering the information I receive from outside, and from within my own mind. I have odd thoughts a lot of time. I read an article in SciAM Mind yesterday, which pretty much describes my disorder. I could go away, but I don't want to spend money on hotel rooms. So I just "run away", for a few hours, and come back feeling better, but it all starts again the next day. I guess I just want to get suggestions on what I might do to earn some money, not that I am asking anyone to find me a job, but to plant a seed for me to work on it myself. Sorry for getting so long, but I need to spill it all out sometimes.
ok so im 13, my dad used to sexually abuse me, force me to suck his penis, have sex with him while he did what he want to me. i was 8, my uncle watched. my mum knew about it but didnt do anything. it stopped after 2 years because i came out with it and told my nana, she took me to the police but my 'dad' didnt get sent down.. then she took me to a councellor and i got diagnosed with bipolar clinical depression anger problems and social phobia.. you'll see why. my whole life, i got neglected, never got fed. for 5years i only ate pot noodles because the house was a mess and we coudnt access the kitchen to eat. i seen my brother almost masturbate, my brother have sex with my sisters bestfriend, my mums rude texts and pictures... i told my sister and she laughed while i poured my heart out. my brothers and mum beat me up because of the size of my breasts, she choses drugs sex and alcohol over me.. havent eaten for 2days because shes been out with this guy.. tried killing myself 13 times.. i just feel like im at a dead end because no one can help me get out of this, if i try to express my feelings such as crying or getting angry, i get shouted at or beaten up and i get told to get over it. im not allowed to be me.. i just want to die. sick of people lying to me. treating me like crap. hurting me like i havent got feelings. talking behind my back, calling me names like you sl*g, prostitute, ugly b*tch, sl*t. got told i was a mistake. and i think i am, because no one loves me now my nana's dead.NO ONE.
2coolcookie Regular Member Date Joined Oct 2011 Total Posts : 54
Posted 10/18/2011 8:22 PM
Hello, I'm new to this forum and hoping to connect with some other mom's who suffer from bipolar depression. My son will be 13 tomorrow he is also blessed with bd and is on the autism spectrum with severe learning disabilities which adds a lot of stress to mothering. I try to be the best mom that I can but have become overwhelmed with the stresses of taking care of two homes, my son and a husband. We purchased and remodelled a house near the beach to make life more enjoyable. My son does very well at the beach but all the stress has triggered a depression. I feel so anxious, no appetite and no focus. I keep trying to find things to get me out of the house but then I'm so anxious when its time to volunteer or whatever I can't pull myself together. My son is very anxious and I'm usually trying to find things to help him with his confidence but I feel like how can I teach him how to cope when I can barely function. Thinking is very difficult and therefore makes me feel more anxious. My son goes to an out of district school which has made it hard to stay connected to the mom's in my town. It has become very isolating. My pdoc said anyone with this much stress would feel overwhelmed but I'm having trouble enjoying much of anything and getting back on track is really difficult. I'm getting behind on bills , I hate the grocery store on a good day so planning meals is like a major event. I recently had a sleep study due to migraines but that doc wants me to have another one to confirm sleep apnea. I guess I'm just feeling lost and not very compitent. I'm trying to avoid a hospitalization. My days seem so up and down. I did feel better after doing pilates the other day. Sorry, i'm just rambling now.
Depression and the Internet
Depression and the Internet.pptx
In modern America, one in every ten adults—about two million, total—suffers from a depressive illness every year. Depression exists in many forms, but most of its victims suffer from extreme “sadness, inactivity, difficulty in thinking and concentration…feelings of dejection and hopelessness, and sometimes suicidal tendencies” (Dictionary, 2011). Traditionally, people have turned to therapists and prescription medication to them cope with this debilitating illness; however, more recently, they have been exploring a more accessible tool—the internet. Consequently, the internet is transforming the way people cope with mental illnesses, but the question is: how?
Demographic Breakdown
¡ People between the ages of 18 and 29 are most likely to access the internet for mental health information.
¡ Some websites are popular between certain age group:
§ Healingwell.com caters to older audiences
§ Ehealthforums.com caters to younger audiences
¡ People obtain to assemble with those most similar to them:
§ Similar to real life social situations
Websites that we have referenced:
Available.
These Sites Provide:
Anonymous Access: You will be allowed to access these resources without an authentication.Free Social Support: You will have free access to people that are willing to give you emotional comfort during your time of need. People with Shared Interests: You will be able to meet new people that are going through the same shared issues and problems as you.Social Healers: You will also meet people whose sole purpose is to create meaning, relationship and health in the hearts of those who need them the most.
Depression and the Internet Final Final.pptx
Through our research, we theorized that people like to talk about their depression in to distinct categories: Hopeless and Hopeful
Hopeful: In this category individuals turn to the internet about their depression to find answers. They feel like there are others out there that can help and that they can relate to.
Hopeless: In this category individuals feel like they there is no one there that will understand them and no one that will be able to help them.
—Health Forums
-- forums and chat
September 3rd, 2011
I am 18 and since I was about 12 I have felt like that everything would be better if I was dead. I try not to feel like this and put up everyday but no matter what I do all I want to do is end the pain. I have self harmed since I was 12 I used to do it on my arms then the teachers started asking questions so I started doing it on my legs and the top of my legs so no one gets hurt by seeing what I do yto myself, I know everyone probally thinks im just a stupid teenager.I lost quite a few friends as they thought I was just attention seeking so ever since I have kept it to myself. I don't know what to do. Where can i get a gun.
-Healingwell.com
I know I'm new to this but it was great to talk to some folks who understand. My son's 13th birthday is today and thank god he went to work with his dad. He had the day off from school. I was in a panic as to what I was going to do with him that would be fun. I'm having a hard time being or having much fun.
I did get out to my therapist appointment and was motivated enough to stop at toys r us to buy Ben one of the Star Wars figures that was on his list. Got to the grocery store to buy him a cake and a few things. Its more than I have done in one day in a while. I couldn't wait to get home.
His dmh worker called and suggested that I sign up for dmh assisstance to get some help in the home for myself. I guess its a good idea. She said since I have a chronic illness that I would be approved. My mood was stable until I spoke with her then I couldn't stop crying. My husband wants to take Ben out to dinner so I need to pull it together and I think I have. I have to keep telling myself that its okay not to be a barrell of laughs. It is just pouring buckets here and hard to motivate myself to go out again but I will. ~Cookie
-Healingwell.com
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 26 2010
Location New Jersey
Age 55
Posts 5
Blog Entries 2
Middle aged man, no job, depressed
Hello; I am a 50+yr old guy with no job for the past 3-1/2 years, and not much hope of getting anything that I could tolerate. I was working in the field of electronics, as a high level tek, but with no college degree, it would be difficult to get back into the field if I wanted to. But at this point, I do not. I am depressed most of the time, although I get reprieve by running. I am doing a full marathon (my 10th) on Sunday, so I am looking forward to it, and the great feeling it produces afterwards. But that will last only a few days or so, then I'll slip right back into this hopeless despair. I had to move back with my parents when I lost my job in June 2007. I have been paying my bills (my parents are buying the food, and paying the other bills, but I have to pay my own insurance) from my savings, and that will run out in a little more than a year at the rate I am using it now. So I get depressed about all of that, and what will I do once the money does run out. I hate the feeling that I am dependent on my parents, as though I were a teenager again. But at my age, it's really scary.
And my parents won't live forever, so eventually I won't even have them, and I will be left homeless. I wish that I could get comfortable enough to take a job I didn't like, just to have some money, but with my current condition, I cannot. I would never be able to do the job if there wasn't some interest there. I need a reason to get up in the morning, and that was what was lacking during the last year of my old job. I would really like to write for a living, but have never taken any formal courses, and don't have much life experience to write about. I keep looking for something to cause a life changing experience for me, and with my running, I am just looking to run longer distances, perhaps more than 50 miles in one day. I love to run, but I am also doing it to try to change myself. Sometimes long distance runners have this "epiphany" that happens during a 100 mile endurance race, and that is the kind of thing I am looking for. It's as though I have never had to really push myself to the limits, and never really got to "know who I am". All that you are supposed to learn about yourself by age 30, I have still to learn at age 50. I honestly believe there is something wrong with my brain. I am taking antidepressant, and it does help, but not all that much. It just stops me from feeling paranoid about everyone around me.
I live with my parents, my sister (who is also 50+), and her teenage daughter there is always something going on in the house, and sometimes I just want to be alone in quiet. I get annoyed at my 89 year old dad a lot, because he just doesn't get it, how I feel, and that I would sometimes just like to be left alone. He talks way too much, and I have trouble focusing on anything when he's talking. I seem to have this disorder that prevents my brain from properly filtering the information I receive from outside, and from within my own mind. I have odd thoughts a lot of time. I read an article in SciAM Mind yesterday, which pretty much describes my disorder. I could go away, but I don't want to spend money on hotel rooms. So I just "run away", for a few hours, and come back feeling better, but it all starts again the next day. I guess I just want to get suggestions on what I might do to earn some money, not that I am asking anyone to find me a job, but to plant a seed for me to work on it myself. Sorry for getting so long, but I need to spill it all out sometimes.
Thanks JB
Kelsieeee
September 1st, 2011
ok so im 13, my dad used to sexually abuse me, force me to suck his penis, have sex with him while he did what he want to me. i was 8, my uncle watched. my mum knew about it but didnt do anything. it stopped after 2 years because i came out with it and told my nana, she took me to the police but my 'dad' didnt get sent down.. then she took me to a councellor and i got diagnosed with bipolar clinical depression anger problems and social phobia.. you'll see why. my whole life, i got neglected, never got fed. for 5years i only ate pot noodles because the house was a mess and we coudnt access the kitchen to eat. i seen my brother almost masturbate, my brother have sex with my sisters bestfriend, my mums rude texts and pictures... i told my sister and she laughed while i poured my heart out. my brothers and mum beat me up because of the size of my breasts, she choses drugs sex and alcohol over me.. havent eaten for 2days because shes been out with this guy.. tried killing myself 13 times.. i just feel like im at a dead end because no one can help me get out of this, if i try to express my feelings such as crying or getting angry, i get shouted at or beaten up and i get told to get over it. im not allowed to be me.. i just want to die. sick of people lying to me. treating me like crap. hurting me like i havent got feelings. talking behind my back, calling me names like you sl*g, prostitute, ugly b*tch, sl*t. got told i was a mistake. and i think i am, because no one loves me now my nana's dead.NO ONE.
Regular Member
Date Joined Oct 2011
Total Posts : 54
Hello,
I'm new to this forum and hoping to connect with some other mom's who suffer from bipolar depression. My son will be 13 tomorrow he is also blessed with bd and is on the autism spectrum with severe learning disabilities which adds a lot of stress to mothering. I try to be the best mom that I can but have become overwhelmed with the stresses of taking care of two homes, my son and a husband. We purchased and remodelled a house near the beach to make life more enjoyable. My son does very well at the beach but all the stress has triggered a depression. I feel so anxious, no appetite and no focus. I keep trying to find things to get me out of the house but then I'm so anxious when its time to volunteer or whatever I can't pull myself together. My son is very anxious and I'm usually trying to find things to help him with his confidence but I feel like how can I teach him how to cope when I can barely function. Thinking is very difficult and therefore makes me feel more anxious. My son goes to an out of district school which has made it hard to stay connected to the mom's in my town. It has become very isolating. My pdoc said anyone with this much stress would feel overwhelmed but I'm having trouble enjoying much of anything and getting back on track is really difficult. I'm getting behind on bills , I hate the grocery store on a good day so planning meals is like a major event. I recently had a sleep study due to migraines but that doc wants me to have another one to confirm sleep apnea. I guess I'm just feeling lost and not very compitent. I'm trying to avoid a hospitalization. My days seem so up and down. I did feel better after doing pilates the other day. Sorry, i'm just rambling now.
2coolcookie