Depression can change how you feel, interact with others and what interests you, but beyond that, depression even changes the way you use your phone.
A study completed by researchers from Northwestern University analyzed the phone use of a small group of people to see if the data they gathered from their phones could be used to diagnose them with depression, Ariana Eunjung Cha reported for The Washington Post.
And 87 percent of the diagnoses were correct.
The study tracked the movements of the participants and the amount of time they used their phones each day. The researchers assumed those with depression would use their phones more, have less routine to their movements and stay in the same spot longer, Cha explained.
All the findings allowed researchers to determine whether they thought each participants phone use signaled depression. Ultimately, the majority of their diagnoses matched that of a previous test given.
This could be especially helpful since so many cases of depression go undiagnosed, Abby Halgage reported for The Daily Beast.
There are 350 million people worldwide suffering from depression, but people dont often recognize their symptoms and seek out professional help, the World Health Organization reported.
The techniques this study pioneered could be key to a new way of looking into mental health that fits into the fabric of peoples lives, said David Mohr, one of the authors of the study, to The Daily Beast.
However, it has become incredibly difficult to use technology to get information about peoples moods, even if it could potentially help them, Mohr told Mandy Oaklander of Time.
One of the things that we find over and over again is that people dont answer questions, he says. In apps, theyll respond to questions for a few days and then get tired of it.
Typically, depression presents itself as a persistent feeling of emptiness or sadness, sleeping too much or too little, not being interested in doing things, irritability, feeling worthless and thinking about death or suicide, according to Mayo Clinic.
While the study still has a few follow-up areas to research, it expands the possible uses of smartphones beyond texting and surfing the Internet to helping people with their health, Arielle Duhaime-Ross reported for The Verge.
"Imagine a world where the devices we carry around in our pockets can help us track our own mental health and catch ourselves before we end up needing psychiatric care," Harvard University psychiatrist Justin Baker said.
A study completed by researchers from Northwestern University analyzed the phone use of a small group of people to see if the data they gathered from their phones could be used to diagnose them with depression, Ariana Eunjung Cha reported for The Washington Post.
And 87 percent of the diagnoses were correct.
The study tracked the movements of the participants and the amount of time they used their phones each day. The researchers assumed those with depression would use their phones more, have less routine to their movements and stay in the same spot longer, Cha explained.
All the findings allowed researchers to determine whether they thought each participants phone use signaled depression. Ultimately, the majority of their diagnoses matched that of a previous test given.
This could be especially helpful since so many cases of depression go undiagnosed, Abby Halgage reported for The Daily Beast.
There are 350 million people worldwide suffering from depression, but people dont often recognize their symptoms and seek out professional help, the World Health Organization reported.
The techniques this study pioneered could be key to a new way of looking into mental health that fits into the fabric of peoples lives, said David Mohr, one of the authors of the study, to The Daily Beast.
However, it has become incredibly difficult to use technology to get information about peoples moods, even if it could potentially help them, Mohr told Mandy Oaklander of Time.
One of the things that we find over and over again is that people dont answer questions, he says. In apps, theyll respond to questions for a few days and then get tired of it.
Typically, depression presents itself as a persistent feeling of emptiness or sadness, sleeping too much or too little, not being interested in doing things, irritability, feeling worthless and thinking about death or suicide, according to Mayo Clinic.
While the study still has a few follow-up areas to research, it expands the possible uses of smartphones beyond texting and surfing the Internet to helping people with their health, Arielle Duhaime-Ross reported for The Verge.
"Imagine a world where the devices we carry around in our pockets can help us track our own mental health and catch ourselves before we end up needing psychiatric care," Harvard University psychiatrist Justin Baker said.
