Self-obsession increases the risk of depression

American researchers from Columbia University revealed that people who tend to think excessively about themselves, known as "self-obsession," are more likely to develop depression iiiiand anxiety than others.

The researchers monitored the brain activity of 1,000 people as they performed daily tasks. They observed that those who took a mental break and immediately began thinking about themselves showed increased electrical activity in a specific part of the brain, which they described as a "neural signature" associated with anxiety and depression.

Dr. Megan Meyer, a cognitive neuroscience expert and lead researcher of the study, said: "Depression is typically characterized by persistent low mood, symptoms of which include loss of appetite and sleep disturbances. Patients often describe feeling anxious or excessively tense, as well as a rapid heartbeat or dizziness." She continued, "Both conditions result from a variety of causes, including stressful life events, hormonal changes, and a family history of mental illness, but we believe there is another important trigger: self-obsession." She explained that excessive self-focus not only contributes to the onset of psychological disorders but also prolongs them.

Dr. Megan Meyer cautioned against confusing normal daily stressors with self-diagnosis of depression and anxiety, as clinical depression is not limited to low mood alone but includes deeper symptoms such as motor slowness, poor concentration, and memory.