People suffering from psychological problems like depression, anxiety and addiction prefer discussing their problems online and feel more comfortable doing so, according to study.
WebTribesInc operates four MYSpace-type sites for depression, anxiety and addiction. A survey was conducted by this company and the participants were asked the place where they would feel more comfortable expressing and sharing their problems.
It was found that 68% of the participants said they were comfortable discussing their problems on “online community”, while 23% said they would see a therapist and 9% said they would share their problems with family and friends.
Although a number of celebrities including Brooke Shields and Tipper Gore have shared their stories of coping with depression, there is still a very large stigma attached to seeking formal treatment for mental health conditions,
said Ryan FitzGerald, president of WebTribesInc.com.
There is a stigma associated with being diagnosed with psychological disorders and people who are suffering from depression and anxiety are worried that it might hamper their career in case the information is shared with their employer.
That explains why more people are turning towards ‘online communities’ to share their worries and anxieties. People feel comfortable as their identities are protected and may feel better when they see that there are people going through similar situations are not alone.
