Study: Certain words are warning signs of depression

A study suggests that people with depression use certain words more than others. "Absolute" expressions can therefore be warning signals.

Can a person's choice of words tell whether they are suffering from depression? Researchers have addressed this question in a study. Result: It is not quite so far that someone just has to open their mouth and we can read their state of mind from the choice of words.

But: According to the scientists, people with depression actually use certain words more often than healthy people. According to this there is a connection between "absolute" expressions and depressive and suicidal thoughts.

What does it mean exactly?

For their research, the researchers made use of the Internet and text analysis tools. Whereas psychologists previously compared, for example, personal texts and diary entries from depressed people in order to examine the choice of words of those affected, the authors of the present study now use "big data". In three studies they analyzed 63 relevant Internet forums with more than 6400 members.

It turned out that the type of language actually used is indicative of the state of mind. So people with depression have a stronger "black and white" view of the world, the researchers report. In concrete terms, this means that those affected tend to use absolute words – so they leave little room for consideration or reflection.

Signs are mainly terms such as "always", "never" or "completely". Compared to other forums, the authors report, the use of these words in special depression and suicide forums is 50 to 80 percent higher.

No general conclusion possible

However, it should be emphasized that of course that does not mean that everyone who uses these vocabulary is depressed. And: "Diagnosing depression based on language characteristics alone is currently not possible," quoted the "Süddeutsche Zeitung" Markus Wolf, a psychologist at the University of Zurich, on this subject.

Internet forums are also "difficult" as data sources. At least for a prognosis, the findings on the choice of words of patients could nevertheless be helpful. However, further investigations would have to be carried out over a longer period of time.

Do you have worries that you want to share? Telephone counseling takes calls anonymously around the clock, telephone 0800/1110111 or 0800/1110222, www.telefonseelsorge.de. Further information and help on handling is also available from Deutsche Depressionshilfe, phone 0800/3344533 or at www.deutsche-depressionshilfe.de.