Do Your Instagram Posts Signal Depression?

Can your Instagram posts hold clues to your mental health? Possibly, according to researchers who used computer algorithms to determine characteristics associated with depression. 

For the study, published in the journal EPJ Data Science, researchers recruited 166 people, 71 of whom had a history of depression. They used a computer program to analyze nearly 44,000 photos, including each photo’s hue, color saturation and brightness, as well as the number of faces it contained. 

“People in our sample who were depressed tended to post photos that, on a pixel-by-pixel basis, were bluer, darker and grayer on average than healthy people,” said Andrew Reece, a postdoctoral researcher at Harvard University and co-author of the study with Christopher Danforth, a professor at the University of Vermont.

Other findings among those with a history of depression included: 

• More human faces posted.
• Less of face shown, when including a photo with their face.
• Less use of Instagram filters to adjust photo's brightness and coloring.
• Greater use of the Inkwell filter (which would make the photo black and white) when they did use filters.
• More frequent Instagram posts.
• More comments on their Instagram posts.
• Fewer likes. 

The researchers also said that "our model showed considerable improvement over the ability of unassisted general practitioners to correctly diagnose depression," which is a bit of a leap, according to many experts.  

Spotting the Signs of Depression
Perhaps rather than paying too much attention to your Instagram account, you’ll want to pay attention to the warning signs of depression, including:

• Fatigue or lack of energy
• Insomnia
• Sleeping too much
• Changes in appetite or weight 
• Physical pain
• Memory problems
• Social withdrawal
• Unexplained sadness 
• Loss of interest in hobbies/activities

Getting Help for Depression and Addiction
As addiction worsens, so does the co-occurring condition — and vice versa. At Hope Academy, we specialize in treating both diseases simultaneously. To learn more, call us toll-free today: 866-930-4673.

Secret Hashtags Parents Need to Know

Have you checked your child’s Instagram account lately? If not, you may want to reconsider and be sure to keep an eye open for a few secret code words hidden in their posts. 

According to a recent article on Parents.com, researchers have found that young adults are using hidden hashtags to connect with others engaging in risky or self-harming behavior, including getting high, making themselves throw up, and/or cutting themselves.   

Megan A. Moreno, MD, MPH, who practices adolescent medicine at Seattle Children's Hospital, along with three colleagues, scrutinized hundreds of Instagram posts to identify which hashtags were most used by kids. They published their findings last year in the Journal of Adolescent Health — and now, many experts are determined to help parents better monitor their kids’ social media use, according to the article. 

Here's a list of the top 10 secret hashtags that parents need to know:

1. #deb for "depression"
2. #sue for "suicide"
3. #ana for "anorexic"
4. #mia for "bulimia"
5. #ednos for "eating disorder not otherwise specified"
6. #thinsp for "thinspo" or "thinspiration"
7. #borderline for "borderline personality disorder"
8. #svv for "selbstverletzendes verhalten" or self-harming behavior
9. #secretsociety123 for a community of people who engage in NSSH, or non-suicidal self harm
10. #420 for "weed" or "pot," which can also be represented by the maple leaf emoji, any of the green leaf or tree emojis, the pineapple (referencing the movie Pineapple Express), and the green check mark, as in "Yes, I have or can get some."

So what should you do if you find these words on one of your child’s post? "Look into this matter thoroughly," Katie Schumacher, author and founder of the initiative "Don't Press Send," told Parents.com. "And if you feel there is even the slightest chance that your child is engaging in self-harm or struggling with depression, be sure to talk to them in a non-confrontational, non-judgmental way. This is a good time to introduce them into self-reflection and bring in medical professionals to offer proper support and guidance."

Help for Young Adults
If you suspect that a loved one is engaging in self-destructive behaviors, don’t hesitate to call for help. Hope Academy’s credentialed addiction specialists will walk you through the admissions process, from intervention to rehab. To learn more, call: 866-930-4673.