The Internet has been hailed by some as the greatest invention of the 20th century. It's an invaluable tool for conducting research and the free exchange of ideas and information. But can it cause depression?
Apparently so. According to a recent two-year study of nearly 100 families with Internet access, spending just a few hours on line can leave some people feeling more socially isolated, lonely and depressed than they were before.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University found that the more time subjects spent on the Internet, the higher they scored in measures of loneliness and depression. Teenagers appeared the most vulnerable to the darker aspects of the Internet.
"We were surprised to find that what is a social technology has such antisocial consequences," said Dr. Robert Kraut, the study's lead author. Kraut and his colleagues also advised that "Until the technology evolves to be more beneficial, people should moderate how much they use the Internet and monitor the uses to which they put it."
Reference
Study: Net use causes depression. Reuters, September 4, 1998.
Recent laws in New Jersey and California represent a disturbing trend that will negatively impact a practice’s ability to collect monies from patients, as well as expose them to significant penalties if the practice does not follow the mandatory guidelines to a T. Please be aware that a similar law may be coming to your state. The time to act is before the law is passed.
With estimates showing over 30 million Americans affected by peripheral neuropathy – and a significant portion underdiagnosed – it’s increasingly likely that chiropractors are already treating these patients. What’s missing is structured recognition, comprehensive management and targeted tools to slow progression, improve function and support systemic health.
Each year, ICD-10-CM is updated on Oct. 1. For 2026, there are 74,179 total codes, with 487 additions, 28 deletions and 38 revisions. Code changes are based on date of service, not the claim submission date. Services performed on/after Oct. 1 must use the new codes. While no changes affect the common spinal or extraspinal codes most frequently used by DCs, several updates may still affect your claims – particularly for comorbidities, referred pain, or trauma cases.
| Digital Exclusive