Those of us who have suffered or are suffering from major depressive disorder know how tough everything can be. From getting out of bed to talking to our friends. Any action, no matter how mundane, becomes a real ordeal, and having control over our situation can be a complex task in itself.
While the most recommended thing in this situation is to seek a specialist (possibly the best money I’ve ever invested), an app currently under development could help all those with major depression to assess their situation thanks to AI.
Known as MoodCapture, this revolutionary mobile app is being developed by a team of scientists from Dartmouth College in New Hampshire (United States) and is capable of analyzing the faces of people with major depression to tell them how they are doing.
The idea behind this app is that every time the user unlocks their phone using their facial recognition system, the device’s front camera will capture several photos of their face and the surroundings. Then, an AI-based algorithm will evaluate those images, scrutinizing the user’s facial expression along with the background images.
If the app determines that the user’s depression is worsening, it will suggest measures such as exercising outdoors or socializing with family and friends. At least initially, the app will not suggest to the user to see a psychiatrist, as this could supposedly make the person feel worse about their situation and reinforce their depression.
Although regular clinical psychiatric evaluations could provide the same basic information, the great advantage of MoodCapture is that it should allow patients to assess their illness much more frequently, quickly responding to downturns before they progress too far.
For now, the app has shown an accuracy of 75% in identifying people who were experiencing worsening depression. It is believed that once the technology is further developed, within about five years, the accuracy rate should increase to at least 90%.
