Technology could help people with depression recall positive memories
Siobhan Treacy | April 12, 2019
There is a lot of potential for technology to help people treat their depression. Source: Unsplash
Researchers from Lancaster University and Trinity College Dublin have conducted a study that takes a deeper look at how technology can help people suffering from depression. They believe that there is a lot of potential for computing technology to help people recall positive memories.
The team asked experts and cognitive behavioral therapists how they use technology in their practice. The results showed that current memory technology is focused on brain diseases with episodic impairments, like dementia. There are not many memory technologies being used to help patients with mental disorders.
According to the researchers, there are three memory impairments linked with depression. First, people with depression are more likely to have a negative memory bias, overgeneralization and reduced positivity. Second, memory impairments in depression are different from what current memory technologies are focused on. Finally, depression memory effects aren’t felt in episodic moments. Rather, these symptoms are felt all of the time. Patients with depression have a hard time finding positive memories when they are in a low mental state. Because of these kinds of impairments, people with depression benefit less from current episodic-based memory tech.
After conducting their research, the team found areas where technology could help patients with depression. Biosensors could be used to inform the technology of the wearer’s current mindset. Technology could provide users with positive memories to counteract any negative memories the user is dwelling on. Technology could create a positive memory bank to capture positive memories and encourage the user to plan future events related to this positive memory.
The researcher’s goal is to use this study to spread awareness of how limited existing memory technology is. The team wanted to push experts to consider more mental disorders, like depression, when creating new memory technologies in the future.
A paper on this study will be presented at CHI2019 Academic Conference in Glasgow, Scotland.
I don't think they understand depression. People with clinical depression are not going to be helped by remembering positive memories. That's like telling somebody they just need to snap out of it.
Depression is a very complex issue and is rather confounding. There usually is a lot of trial and error with each individual patient to see what treatment, be it therapy-based and/or pharmaceutical based, helps provide relief from the symptoms.
For people who may be sad, this might help.
In reply to #1
I disagree that positive memory has no application for depression. The reason that depression is so intransigent is that the biochemicals involved set up a feedback loop which reinforces the condition, including effects such as 'negative memory bias'. Dwelling on negative memories triggers the same unfortunate chemistry that caused the 'negative bias' in the first place. As you pointed out, there is no single 'best' treatment however the successful treatment in a given case is the one that succeeds in breaking that positive feedback loop for the unpleasant chemistry and state of mind.
"Snap out of it" is not helpful to say to a depressed third party, but ultimately the goal of being able to 'snap yourself out' is valid. Anything that helps to break the loop is useful. It may sound horrible and heartless but "Drop and give me twenty" is one of the best orders to give your depressed self. Sure the benefits are temporary, but finding ways to 'snap yourself out of" the depression chemical loop is crucial. I know people who had great success with cognitive behavioral therapy, and while I don't know the details, I would see using 'positive memory' as another tool for your kit... and that's a good thing.
In reply to #2
I can see your point, but I have also been down that road with some very close to me. Those were not afflicted with negative thoughts that a positive thought would help offset. It truly was a situation where the chemical cocktail that resides within us, was off a click or two. Problem is that most of the meds you can try to address the issue, come with their own set of demons.
It really is a slow journey of trial and error because most of the meds have to build up gradually so you have to be very patient waiting for 'results'. The doctors just guess at what might work.
In reply to #3
You're absolutely right about the extreme condition. I mentioned physical activity because it's a really good thing to do, to give that system a chance to reset. But a severely depressed person will not be jumping up to do exercise. They need help and kind words from others.
Drugs can help some people, but as you pointed out it's a difficult road to find what works. It's very scary to have someone close go down that road.