Does Your Instagram Show That You Are Depressed?

The filters you use could say something about your mental health!
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Written by Greg Brown, & Mitch Moffit
Edited by: Sel Ghebrehiwot

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[crimsonnin]

My inability to keep up with social media shows that I'm depressed.

[Donar]

I'm too depressed to use Instagram ...

[goblindonor]

What's interesting is that I didn't use to do these typically depressed things on Instagram when I was happier. I posted less pictures, used more filters, and rarely posted selfies. Now it's the opposite. I post a lot of pictures, especially selfies, they're usually slightly out of focus, and have dull, faded, tones.
Also, the more comments less likes phenomenon might occur because depressed people will often post text images that talk about depression related things, such as feeling like shit or wanting to die. People won't like the post because that would signify to the poster that these depressive thoughts are to be encouraged, rather, people comment things that are supposed to uplift the poster.

[brandih]

I don't have an instagram, what does that mean? Am I dead? Finaly

[Mykasan]

there's no picture of me on my instagram. what does that say about me...?

[fanrulerjynx]

This is really fascinating! It's an interesting way to look at mental disorders through social media and actually put effort into studying and observing how people are. I like that you two both sat together and bantered about it, made this study feel more real. Please let us know about more studies like these! <3

[ameena]

But you can still post images pretending you are at a party, when you are not, or you can post selfies when you are at a party because other people do not consent. Also you can post images from ages ago and pretend it was taken recently.

It's easy to lie on instagram, and there are so many people who paint a positive picture of their life using social media, when it's not all that rosy so I wouldn't use this as a diagnostic tool.

EDITED TO ADD: I thought about it for a little while and I think that you shouldn't make assumptions about someones instagram, such as dark filters means that they are depressed. Both dark and light filters could be due to eyesight problems.

Also for some people words are easier so we should use twitter/facebook if the therapist knows they like to express themselves through writing.

In general, don't make any assumptions about the client. Let them explain why they did what they did. I think this is a good tool as it uses other facets of someones life as well, but I think it should still be used with the traditional method of diagnosing someone, perhaps as a way to confirm the diagnosis.

[meh]

I figured it out

No. Of memes X Time spent on Instgram = Amount of depression

[violencia]

My face shows that I'm depressed.

[jtveg]

I never use filters on my photos because I feel a photo should look the way I saw the image with my eyes and not an artwork.

[alexp]

More comments/less likes, might be about (in some cases) posting negative stuff - where friends won't "like" it but may want to lend support?

[sully]

mine is exclusively memes about suicide, no im not depressed

[izzyind]

Me: let's see if my instagram says I'm depressed
*realises 16/20 posts are me going to the theatre*

[AshlynnAspires]

What if you don't use any social media? Does that mean you are depressed? Facebook and Instagram made me depressed so I stopped using it.
Am I depressed right now? No.

[namirmeti]

Apparently.... I'm Depressed.. lol

[rosieisla]

I think the comment thing can have a lot of causes, but I think the most likely cause is conversations. The amount of times I've complimented people and gotten a huge conversation about "No I'm not cute!!! I look terrible!!!" is worrying.

[airplainchild]

I think it's interesting that according to this study, based on my instagram I wouldn't be pegged for a depressed person, when in fact I'm severely depressed.

[lachrymarum_]

greg, your nail color is to die for !! 😵 yall should upvote this if you agree & also wanna know the brand/shade name 😇

[savanahkent]

I'm not sure how well this would work because my only Instagram is a fan account so I'm not sure how that plays into the studies

[Izac]

I understand that psychology is studying the soul/mind as a whole, but I personally use Instagram to keep up with other people/events, not to post pics of myself, I'm sure other people do aswell.