Depression: When Does it Start, and Does Social Media Play a Role?

Depression affects 350 million people worldwide. People in the United States 18 years and older make up 4.6% of those 350 million. A study, which was based on a survey of 600,000 individuals in the United States, was recently conducted at Louisiana State University Sciences Center. It concluded that those who spend more than 6 hours/week in front of a screen were at a greater risk for depression.

 

According to TIME’s latest article, “Depression and Suicide in Youth,” there is a growing population of young americans who suffer from this debilitating mental disorder. The results mention that most of these adolescents also spend more than six hours per week in front of a screen using social media. Many believe that this is a leading cause of the growing rate of depression amongst teens and young adults. Those who recognize that their social media screen time could be affecting their happiness have options, though. They find it possible to reduce their screen times and improve their quality of life by applying these five simple rules:

 

1. Being selective about their responses.

2. Not worrying about missing out.

3. Not letting updates distract them from real life.

4. Not believing everything they see.

5. Setting time limits on their use.

 

By applying these rules, teens remove their focus on unnecessary noise and prioritize what is right there in front of them. However, sometimes making these changes may not be possible due to work or other obligations. In that case, there are still other options available.

 

Seeking professional help through psychotherapy, antidepressant medication, or ketamine infusion therapy are three possibilities. Antidepressants are the most common treatment, however, they usually take four to six weeks before any changes are noticeable. Ketamine infusion therapy is a highly effective alternative for when first-line treatments fail. Ketamine infusion patients tend to find relief much sooner—oftentimes after the first or second infusion.

 

 

If you or someone you know is suffering from depression, sadness, nervousness, or hopelessness, reach out today, and schedule a free consultation. Our ketamine clinic services patients in southern New Jersey and the greater Philadelphia area, treating psychiatric and chronic pain conditions through ketamine infusion therapy. Ketamine treatments could change—or save—your life. Contact us today.