The multimedia world of depression

The various social networks of the internet - from facebook, twitter to blogger - are allowing more people to find a community to help them cope with their depression. But is the community enough to cure the disease?

By Ashley Wilbourn

Millions of people combat depression by turning to the multimedia world of the Internet rather than turning to professionals, partly to keep from spending money on therapy in tight economic times.

In September, 2008, Bloomberg reported that hospital admissions for psychiatric problems were up 10 percent from 2007. But not everyone can afford professional mental health treatment. The cost of a counseling session averages around $100 per hour and the cost of psychiatric medications, for example 30 pills of 20 mg Lexapro, is also near $100.

With these costs on the rise and job security on the downward spiral, social media such as Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Blogger, Internet forums and more are quickly becoming ways for people battling depression to band together and help one another.

Marissa Miller began her blog, "depression introspection" in July 2006. It was initially a tool for herself, to get out her own feelings. But soon it became an outlet that others turned to seeking guidance.

Miller said she realizes now how important it is for people suffering from depression to have a community where they can turn.

" Depression has the illusion of loneliness--it whines, 'No one knows how I feel, no one cares.' The feedback from my blog has shown that it's simply not true," she said. "It reminds me people do know how I feel, and they deeply care."

Miller's feeling that depressed people need a community can be seen even through 140 character posts on Twitter. A young American girl who chooses to go by the name "depress" on Twitter and "moon mistress" for her other online media, uses her Twitter account to update those around her on her current frame of mind.

On March 17, at 5:37 p.m. she posted a tweet that read, "I sobbed until my sleeping pill kicked in last night. But I still don't remember how to cry."

She said that social media have been very helpful for her in living with her depression. "I lived in a situation where it was unacceptable to show major depression, where my parents' reaction to seeing my cuts once was anger, and where my only friends lived two hours away," she said.

"Furthermore, I was highly ashamed of my depression - I have had a very good life, good parents, enough money, homeschooled, taking college courses, and loving my education. I had 'no good reason' to feel the way I did."

"Depress" said social media gave her a good balance "between connection and anonymity."

The anonymity of using the Internet is also something cherished by the blogger "Cosmo." He agreed to an interview but said that he likes to remain anonymous on his blog. He said he believes it allows people to relate to him more directly.

"Cosmo" writes a blog called walkingthedog.com. He began the blog after sinking into a depression after his divorce and subsequent estrangement from his daughter. The estrangement, in fact, directly led to his depression, a type known as Parental Alienation Syndrome.

On his blog, "Cosmo" writes about his illness and even expresses his feelings for his estranged daughter. In one post, titled, "A Letter to My Daughter," "Cosmo" writes, "The day you came home from the hospital is a day forever burned in my mind and my heart. I'd always wanted to believe in unconditional love but I never knew it existed until you were born. On that day I experienced what it was like to love someone unconditionally. I knew then that no matter what would happen in this life, I would always love you and I still do."

The readers of "Cosmo's" blog responded to his outpouring of emotions. One reader, "Steve," responded, "Thanks mate. I haven't seen my 18 y.o. daughter and 16 y.o. son for 3 years. It's nice to know I'm not alone in my suffering."

"Cosmo" said in an interview, "For so long depression has been what no one wants to talk about, and I think it's as much of a disease as cancer or anything else. There may be an element where we can make matters worse, but no one chooses to have this. I think there is a huge physical aspect of depression."

Depression forums online are also filled with people from all over the world looking for help. One post on Beating the Beast, a popular online depression forum, is simply titled "help?." The online member writes, "I'm fighting against bulimia and losing the battle. But to my disgust, not losing weight. I'm let down time after time, Mostly by myself," The person continues, "I thought I had overcome cutting, but that swallowed me again too, and the fascination with my wrists isn't leading anywhere good. I've been hospitalized twice, and had one very good experience one very bad, but I have no desire to go back. No desire to get out of bed, to work, to learn, to enjoy. Just to sleep and eat my loneliness. Then dwell on how much I hate myself for all of this. The more I reach out the more isolated I feel."

In just a few hours the poster had replies to the call for help. Some of the people who replied made suggestions for places the forum member could turn to. Others chose to share part of their own story, "My eating disorder is binging not purging, so I am overweight by about 90 lb. But I can relate to how it is a life long struggle. We have to face this issue daily. Multiple times. I wish there was a rehab for this like drugs."

Although the online social media seem to provide help by providing a community people with depression can turn to, even blog writers are quick to say, providing a community is a starting point, that it cannot be the only cure for depression.

"Plugging into a mental health community, whether it be through blogs, online forums, or social networking sites, is certainly helpful," Marissa Miller of the "depression introspection" blog said. " But most of these people are not professionally trained to help people work through specific problems. Treatment for depression is very expensive but well worth the cost."