There are Five Subtypes of Boredom, reveals a German study

Being bored is far more complex than one might imagine as a new study suggests the finding of a new type of boredom.

While past studies have revealed that there are four types of boredom, this study, which was conducted among 143 German university and school students, found a fifth type of boredom, termed as apathetic boredom.

In wanting to quantify the psychological impact of these subtypes, the participants were required to fill out a number of digital questionnaires which were used to measure a number of factors that were related to ennui and tedium.

This new type of boredom was characterized by a high degree of aversion and low degree of arousal. Simply put, they were feelings of depression and helplessness resembling a major depressive disorder.

Quite surprisingly, almost 36 percent of the participants had frequent bouts of this type of boredom. At the same time, the study also led researchers to the conclusion that people rarely experience all types of boredom but only one type that is dependent on personality-specific dispositions.

It must be mentioned that one in 10 Americans, usually at the age of 32, experience symptoms related to depressive disorders some of which include overeating, feelings of guilt and suicide, fatigue, various aches and pains, insomnia and a loss of interest in hobbies and activities.

Which brings us to the point that if an understanding of everyday boredom is deeper then this will help psychiatrists to develop new ways of diagnosing and treating these types of ailments.