Depression Doesn’t Spread
A healthy mood spreads faster through social networks but depression does not, say researchers.
A healthy mood spreads faster through social networks but depression does not, say researchers.
Being friends with someone who is depressed does not put you at risk of becoming depressed and it is likely to help the depressed person recover, they said.
Researchers know that social factors, for example living alone or having experienced abuse in childhood, influences whether someone becomes depressed. “We also know that social support is important for recovery from depression, for example having people to talk to,” said study co-author Thomas House from the University of Manchester.
“This was a big effect that we have seen here. It could be that having a stronger social network is an effective way to treat depression,” House said. The study was published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
Feedback: jyotip@fijisun.com.fj
