While a lot of folks try to self-diagnose using the Internet (Web MD comes to mind), it turns out that the simple way someone uses the Internet could point toward depression. A recent study finds that depressed persons surf the web differently. I'm beginning to not trust this whole Internet business .

Researchers from the Missouri University of Science and Technology performed a study on 216 college students at the school. Information was collected anonymously and was not self-reported.

It turns out depressed persons spend a lot more time flipping around the Internet randomly, have less consistent usage times and use more file-sharing programs and (this one surprised me) sent out more e-mails.

Researchers said the random Internet patterns (such as watching a video followed by an email to watching part of another video to reading part this article, etc.) could point toward trouble concentrating, a symptom of depression.

Usage itself was erratic, too: some students would spend hours a day online then not touch the computer for two days.

The study could prove useful both in diagnosing depression and in understanding it more fully.

Via Medical Daily