Online habits could signal depression

  

May 18, 2012 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- How you use the Internet could provide clues about your mental health, according to a new study.

Researchers at the Missouri University of Science and Technology found students who show signs of depression tend to browse the web more randomly and switch between several applications. They found nine patterns of internet usage that might indicate depression.

The study followed 216 undergraduate students and analyzed their usage to find the patterns. Researchers found depressed students tended to use file-sharing services, sent email and chatted online more than the other students. They also tended to use the high-bandwidth applications often associated with online videos and games, more than others students.

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