Our phones can tell us many things about ourselves. Who we talk to the most, what apps we use most frequently, what people we adore based on the Instagram photos we post: all of these are information gleaned from studying one’s cellular device. In recent studies, scientists at Northwestern Medical have shown that these personal devices may also be able to detect signs of depression in the user.
The levels of depression vary in each afflicted individual, but some general symptoms include lack of social interaction, increased tiredness, lack of motivation, and avoidance behaviors. By placing a sensor on participants’ cell phones, scientists were able to monitor the location of the phone and the data usage. Those who stayed at home and were on their phones more often showed more signs of severe depression. Being on one’s phone extensively throughout the day can show psychiatrists that the user chooses to focus on the information, media, or games on the screen more than the events occurring in his life. The scientists also believe that the user spends most of this extended amount of time on the internet or playing games rather than talking to friends. This displays avoidance behaviors that coincide with depressive symptoms.
The GPS on the phone tells scientists where the subject goes throughout the day. Subjects who stay at home and go to fewer places are more likely to be affected by or develop depression due to lack of motivation or interest for social interaction. The human race is made up of social creatures; though there are outliers who chose to live alone, in general, I believe that for a healthier mental state, we need community.
In the movie I Am Legend, Will Smith finds himself alone in a city rampant with creatures infected with a zombie-like disease. One scene shows him in a store that has mannequins set around to look like shoppers. As he walks through the store, he talks to each one like they are his friends; he needs to have people in his life, even if they are only fake people, to give him the feeling of not being alone. When a person cuts himself off from social interactions, he may develop increased symptoms of depression due to the feeling of loneliness. The GPS tracker on his phone is able to show whether or not he nourished his social life.
Studying the data usage on a girl’s phone may show that she is depressed, but that same data may also be the cause of these depressive symptoms. Social media tends to take over people’s lives; teens find their worth in the number of Instagram likes on a photo; even adults may feel shunned if someone doesn’t wish them a “happy birthday” on Facebook. The number of friends or followers one has, in today’s society, can contribute to a feeling of inadequacy in some cases. Seeing a classmate’s stunning but heavily edited selfie on Instagram can make a girl view herself as ugly in comparison even though she isn’t. These feelings of inadequacy can sometimes lead to thoughts of worthlessness which can turn into depressive symptoms. How ironic that our treasured smartphones, a possible contributing cause of depression, can tell a researcher the severity of the illness.
