Smartphone and mental health: what the history of use will tell

Every time we go online, we leave a digital footprint behind us. Social networks shamelessly use this: they collect and store huge amounts of personal data for selfish purposes. For example, Facebook customizes ads based on our preferences and search queries, YouTube recommends videos based on your browsing history.

However, this information may be useful to the users themselves. It helps to learn a lot about our mental health. A new field of science that describes this relationship has already been formed, capable of revolutionizing traditional psychiatry and psychotherapy – digital phenotyping.

In a sense, the relationship between “smartphone habits” and mental health is obvious. Let’s say a person who has installed an anxiety management app is clearly experiencing this condition. Someone who often sits on the phone at night is likely to have insomnia. Meanwhile, other possible connections are not so noticeable.

Geolocation and depression

Many people use the GPS function when moving around the city. It turns out that according to geolocation, signs of depression can be recognized: people who experience it choose the same route.

Another clue is given by the types of locations. A recent study found that people with mild depression go to spiritual places (temples, chapels, etc.) more often than those with severe depression. Those who are doing well spend more time at work than depressed individuals.

However, we note that these are only hypotheses: more data are needed for proof.

Social activity and exacerbations

Levels of social activity can also indicate mental problems. Specialists who have studied patients with schizophrenia have found that a decrease in the number and duration of outgoing calls, sent and received messages is associated with an exacerbation of the disease.

The authors of another work suggest using the Bluetooth function to measure the frequency of “live” contacts. That is, to determine how many active devices are next to the owner of the smartphone.

Network language and mental disorders

Speech allows you to look into the depths of the mind, and some of its violations may indicate mental disorders. One research project examined transcripts of conversations with young people with psychosis. It turned out that simplified language constructions and confusing phrases portend the onset of an attack.

The same principle was applied to online communication. News feeds and chats in popular social networks provide rich linguistic material for diagnosing mental disorders.

The researchers analyzed what patients in the intensive care unit wrote on Facebook. They were able to determine who was diagnosed with depression without any additional information. Moreover, the accuracy almost coincided with the results of screening surveys.

Records that showed hostility, negative emotions, excessive self-concern turned out to be harbingers of the disease.

Interaction speed and state

Even by the way people move their fingers—typing, tapping, scrolling, scrolling—you can judge their condition. So, before a strong excitement or a manic episode, interaction with the screen is often accelerated or the speed of typing increases. These indicators are measured by the accelerometer provided in most smartphones.

One study found that average typing delay time and frequency of auto-corrections (i.e. misspellings) correlated with common symptoms of depression.

Another study compared two groups of participants: those with and without depressive tendencies. In the first group, longer intervals between pressing and releasing the keys were recorded, which indicates a slow motor reaction or psychomotor retardation, which is characteristic of depression.

What’s next?

The theory that mental health can be judged by the history of using a smartphone and the Internet was born quite recently. But while the experiments continue, it is worth considering what this means for all of us. In an era of data privacy and digital capitalism, where personal information is tracked and collected for commercial purposes, we must pay due attention to the ethical and privacy concerns associated with this technology.

The motives of scientists are quite altruistic: they strive to improve the mental health industry. Hypothetically, the data collected from the phone during the day will be very useful to doctors. Or to guardians who will notice warning signs in time.

An equally interesting idea is an application that can analyze thoughts, emotions, and the current situation. And already taking into account this information, personalize the offers of therapists and send them to the user.

Another thing is that the same information may be of interest to enterprising businessmen. Suppose some large technology company finds out that a person has mental problems, and begins to slip him advertising antidepressants. Or offer the services of a therapist based on the characteristics of speech and geolocation.

Some will say that this is wonderful, because those who need help will have a better chance of getting it. And someone will be outraged by the shameless invasion of privacy. In any case, if it comes down to it, users should be able to disable such ads. If only because such announcements can provoke or increase stress.

It is likely that even the best digital phenotyping systems will be imperfect. There are no 100% accurate medical tests – in addition, it is important to be aware of potential abuse. But be that as it may, information from a smartphone will be valuable for psychiatrists and psychotherapists.

Although the “digital footprint” cannot be completely relied upon, it will narrow down the range of possible causes and ultimately help to establish a diagnosis, as well as prescribe the correct treatment.