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Can a computer diagnose and treat depression?

Diagnosing depression has always been very subjective, but a new computer-based screening test developed by the Institute of Psychiatry promises to change this. An online questionnaire will ask the user nine questions about how he or she has felt over the last fortnight, such as sleeping patterns and if they’ve had thoughts of self-harm. Each answer, if it answered truthfully, will then be scored and the total score will determine if the user is suffering from depression and its severity.


Users will also get access to an online CBT programme called Beating the Blues.


This is interesting news, but as mentioned it is determined that users answer the questions truthfully, and it does take away that person-to-person contact that can be very important.


While it will be great for people to be able to help themselves from the comfort of their own homes, we would be sorry to patient to doctor interactions diminish.


Do you think this is a good method to diagnose depression? Leave a comment below.

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karenjj wrote on 02 | 28 | 2012
ATOS use computer software (LIMA) to unfairly find people on benefits fit for work. It's unfair because we are people, not robots. There is no yes or no answer to mental health.
Solitaire wrote on 02 | 28 | 2012
I dont think its suggesting that people with depression wont get professional help just that theres a way for someone to start to find out what sort of help may be needed. I dont think its suggested that you answer 9 questions online and thats the end of things. I remember my first bout of depression and my GP probably asked 3 questions before diagnosing me and handing me antidepressants. I needed to talk though - not just pop pills.
Lynn wrote on 02 | 24 | 2012
How awful. We already feel we are not worth/don't deserve to get professional help. This is not a good message.
Laura Petal Clark wrote on 02 | 28 | 2012
Compleatly agree. Is bad enough most people tend to see depression as a stupid attention seeking thing, or somthing we can just control ourselfs and are using it. Even doctors seem to think that way most of the time. This deffeintly gives the impression that people who are depressed can just be fooled into getting better, or is another problem for the world to hide.
Xinoehp wrote on 02 | 22 | 2012
I agree, this maybe isn't the best way to diagnose depression, but, this could possibly be a good alternative to leaving the house and seeing the GP for some people with the black dog can be afraid to go outside their house. Maybe some work could be done on this to make the test more valid?
satinthedark wrote on 02 | 22 | 2012
I don't think it's ideal that said I've seen GPs using similar questionaires for years.
limeyface wrote on 02 | 22 | 2012
I am truly astonished they think that nine questions is enough to diagnose depression.
Georgia wrote on 02 | 29 | 2012
I am astonished that you can't see if someone is truely honest with themselves, this will certainly help to flag that maybe they are in crisi & need to seek help!