Diagnosed with Facebook depression?

As Facebook seems to be taking over the world it was only a matter of time before Facebook Depression was diagnosed.


Researchers disagree on whether it's simply an extension of depression some kids feel in other circumstances, or a distinct condition linked with using the online site, MSNBC.com reports.

But apparently there are unique aspects of Facebook that can make it a particularly tough social landscape to navigate for kids already dealing with poor self-esteem, according Dr. Gwenn O'Keeffe, a Boston-area pediatrician.

One of the main causes of Facebook Depression it seems, are those smiley, happy updates.

With in-your-face friends' tallies, status updates and photos of happy-looking people having great times, Facebook pages can make some kids feel even worse if they think they don't measure up.

It can be more painful than sitting alone in a school cafeteria or other real-life encounters that can make kids feel down, O'Keeffe said, because Facebook provides a skewed view of what's really going on. Online, there's no way to see facial expressions or read body language that provide context.

I’m not sure why this study only concentrates on kids. What about adults for Facebook’s sake? I can bet my last moldy tea bag that on a cold wet day I’ll log onto Facebook to see somebody’s pictures of themselves lying on a beach on Hawaii.

They’ll be some comment added about how the Martinis were not quite as satisfying as hoped for.

This is usually a cue to go downstairs and do something almost, but not quite as satisfying, as sipping Martins in the sun. Cleaning up cat sick, for example.

And it’s not just holiday snaps from people wealthier than me, in other words everyone, that has the ability to frustrate and depress. Here’s some recent status updates for example....

Face facts.The lame duck England manager does not give two hoots. That's why he never talks to players, despite being criticised for it. He should be speaking face to face to players like Rio about the captaincy, but can't even phone. That's what he gets paid for. "I hope in the next weeks, I will meet Rio," he's just said. What is he doing? Now Gareth Barry is captain! Capello should just go.

OK but do we really give a rats, Martin…

is about to start "The Woman in White" and is hoping she'll be pleasantly surprised by it

You won’t Sally. It’s tedious. You’ll get more satisfaction from listening to Phil Collins. Well errr.

Changing brake pads...


A useful thing to do I’m sure, Rob. But do we really want to know about it?

What if there were no hypothetical questions?

Oh I actually like this one Tamara. Even if you are a Republican.

Good turnout at the Appraisal Fair...saw some great antiques!

Antiques at an appraisal? And I thought you’d gone there to see a duck billed platypus in heat.

crap day. we're all sick, a batch of leaky nappies mean i have to totally change j&o's clothes every hour or so & now our tyres have been slashed for 3rd time in residents-only garage after we complained to building company again about damp


Well thanks. At least this one doesn’t make me feel depressed about my own life in comparison.

OK, I am going to sleepnow. Been baning my head against my homework and the head really does hurt. But I go to sleep tonight knowing that my Rams (I graduated i q9-something) have done it. I go to sleep that the world knows where Richmond is. God love ya VCU and the Spiders. And let us NOT forget the women's games...The march from Richmond is once again upon the 'league' ...


Thanks Joe. I’m going to sleep a lot more soundly knowing you are asleep and not roaming the streets with your Spiders. And I knew where Richmond was anyhow.

Melting tapered candles in my wine bottles the day after makes my drinking trophies more classy and makes me look like less of an alcoholic.


I like this one. OK I have to say that because she’s likely to read this blog. But it’s definitely an upper, not least because it makes me feel less like an alcoholic.