Depression is a significant global health concern. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 280 million people worldwide live with depression. This translates to roughly 5% of the global adult population.
Depression is tough, affecting mood, thoughts, and behavior. Symptoms vary but may include sadness, sleep issues, and loss of interest. In severe cases, even thoughts of self-harm or suicide may arise. Managing Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) requires seeking support through therapy, medication, and self-care.
Thanks to AI, an in-development app could assist individuals dealing with major depression in evaluating their circumstances.
The app detects depression from facial cues before the user even knows something is wrong!
The groundbreaking MoodCapture app, developed by a team of scientists from Dartmouth College in New Hampshire (United States), utilizes a smartphone’s front camera to capture facial expressions and surroundings. By analyzing these images for cues linked to major depression, MoodCapture provides users with real-time feedback on their well-being.
The MoodCapture app accurately detects early signs of depression with a 75 percent success rate
Should the app detect a deterioration in the user’s depression, it will recommend actions like outdoor exercise or socializing with family and friends.
Initially, the app refrains from suggesting a visit to a psychiatrist, as it believes this might exacerbate the individual’s condition and reinforce feelings of depression.
One significant benefit of MoodCapture is its ability to enable users to assess their mental health more frequently, facilitating prompt responses to declines before they escalate significantly.
