Could a phone be smart enough to work out when we're suffering from depression?

According to researchers at Northwestern University, the answer is yes.

The very smart phone being developed by the scientists would work as a virtual therapist and sense the user's mood.
And it will even offer a cure. The phone would send a text message urging you to get out and do something to feel better.

By learning all the user's usual patterns, it can sense when he or she is isolated.
'We're trying to develop individual algorithms for each user that can determine specific states, so their location where they are, their activity, their social context, who they're with, what they're engaged in and their mood,' said psychologist David Mohr.

So if someone is stuck inside for days and feeling down, the 'Mobilyze!' phone could sense it.

'It can provide them an automated text message, or an automated phone call to make a suggestion to give somebody a call or get out of the house,' he added.

Tests on eight volunteers have shown the phone doctor has helped boost their moods.

'They all had a major depressive disorder when they started, and they were all both clinically and statistically better at the end of the treatment,' Dr Mohr told CBS.

'By prompting people to increase behaviours that are pleasurable or rewarding, we believe that Mobilyze! will improve mood,' said the Director of the new Center for Behavioral Intervention Technologies and a professor of preventive medicine at Northwestern's Feinberg School.

'It creates a positive feedback loop. Someone is encouraged to see friends, then enjoys himself and wants to do it again. Ruminating alone at home has the opposite effect and causes a downward spiral,' added.
Wider tests are planned this summer.