I am an it professional so i use computer all the time but then i took the decision to let the computer at work overnight... and i started feel better. I bring my lap at home only during the we in case i have to work on something. But in rest i began reading again and i feel much better.
I think my use of the computer is related to my depression. Not the use itself because I seem to use it all the time, but more the way I use it. Like Wildcat said it's a convienient tool and it does bring alot of instant information at all hours of the day and night.
I find my computer use to be more constructive when my mood is more functional. The more dysfunctional I become the more the computer use is just an escape and I just begin to look at stuff. It's not constructive time and I'm really just hiding behind the computer because everyone else in the house is doing their own thing. Basically I just hiding.
On the other hand the computer has given me much insight to exercise, diet, I found this site. It helped tremendously with getting my daughter's recent wedding plans together. So I doubt I'll be reducing that much time on it. Like everything else in my life I have to weigh my response to how I'm using it and ask myself daily if I'm really getting a benefit or if I'm just hiding.
The computer is a more convient means to all those things I love with better open hours! the library and book stores close way too early and drain the pocket book - where as the internet saves me from that.
I can explore a thousand things when my mood swings up ... and maybe that might be a danger in the future if i push into a true manic state (I just might book that flight to a convent in Brasil).
when the mood swings down to depression I can't think straight so I don't really bother with the computer. I can barely read, and trying to communicate in a forum is impossible throught the tears, pain and confusion.
I like contact with people, and even these little, disjointed conversations are stimulating. I get a whole lot of ideas and feed back that helps when times are difficult. I don't come to read but the notions and ideas follow me...
So the computer is usually the place I come when I have not hit the bottom. I have a marvelous time like with many of my hobbies. And when I eventually do go beyond functional, I still have the baggage to comfort me.
ExSylder,
This is an interesting question and one that can relate to all of our members. Our goal as moderators it to help our member's use the computer to learn more about their depression and connect with others experiencing the same thing. Hopefully, the computer helps to expose them to a different lifestyle and become a better person.
Members, please share your thoughts.
Brenna, Bilingual Health Educator
I've been spending hours in front of the computer since I'm not interested in going out or talking with someone, I don't know if this helps or not, something good may come out of this for sure since I found this forum, but besides this I feel is becoming an unconfortable need. I've been trying to use this time to write a journal and some poetry, but I just spend too much time doing nothing, and I find it difficult to stop. Somehow it feels safer to live a virtual life than to get out there and face the real world.
