MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Teens Who Choose Music Over Books Are More Likely to Be Depressed, Study Finds

Worldwalker · 04-05-2011, 12:45 PM

One symptom of major depression is ceasing to enjoy things that one normally enjoys. In other words, if you normally like reading, depression will make you not particularly enjoy it or want to do it. However, music is easy. No effort required. It makes for a good background sound track, especially when you don't feel like doing much of anything else.

I know from personal experience that I listen to more music, and grimmer music, when I'm less cheerful. When I'm "up" I want to do things, write things, and, yes, read a book; I tend not to bother with music. When I'm "down" I'd rather throw on some music that mirrors my mood and stare at the walls or draw disturbing pictures.

So, for what anecdotal evidence is worth, I can say that yes, there is a correlation between music and mood in my case -- but the causation goes the other way.

04-05-2011, 12:45 PM	#7
Worldwalker Curmudgeon Posts: 3,085 Karma: 722357 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: PRS-505	One symptom of major depression is ceasing to enjoy things that one normally enjoys. In other words, if you normally like reading, depression will make you not particularly enjoy it or want to do it. However, music is easy. No effort required. It makes for a good background sound track, especially when you don't feel like doing much of anything else. I know from personal experience that I listen to more music, and grimmer music, when I'm less cheerful. When I'm "up" I want to do things, write things, and, yes, read a book; I tend not to bother with music. When I'm "down" I'd rather throw on some music that mirrors my mood and stare at the walls or draw disturbing pictures. So, for what anecdotal evidence is worth, I can say that yes, there is a correlation between music and mood in my case -- but the causation goes the other way.