Post-traumatic
Stress Disorder is a mental illness that science is slowly becoming familiar
with, but has a long way to fully understand. Nearly 20% of veterans from the
war in Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from PTSD, and a greater percentage from the
Vietnam War suffer as well. There has been and still is a stigma surrounding
mental illness in the US, and one of the main problems facing those with an
illness is the fear of admittance. Those who suffer may not even know they have
a mental illness, or don’t want to admit to needing help. This apprehensiveness
and reluctance to talking about mental health is one of the reasons why we are
so behind in understanding mental illnesses. However, the University of
Southern California’s Institute for Creative Technologies has developed a “virtual
therapist” to help identify patients with PTSD, anonymously.
Although Ellie is not a solution or
treatment for PTSD, she opens a large window of opportunity for researchers and
psychologists to study an even larger group of patient with PTSD. In addition,
she offers veterans an easier and more comfortable way to get help if they are
suffering. Currently, Ellie is only being used to screen US veterans, but
hopefully in the near future her technology can be used for any types of PTSD
or mental illnesses. This would help psychologists and researchers better
understand mental health disorders because of the safe and calm environment patients
feel while being screened by Ellie.
Sources:
This is wonderful to see. Many people have been saying that things like this will be presented 'soon' so it is good to see that it is starting to finally be the time where more advanced technologies are being presented, especially ones like this. I have to say, it was a bit odd just watching the video, not for any particular reason, but just mainly because the AI seemed nearly sentient.
ReplyDeleteThis is such an innovative creation. The stigma around mental health is so debilitating and it is encouraging to see people who want to take action to decrease it. It is ironic that many people think technologies may be the reason for many people's mental illnesses but this is using technology in order to help mental illness. It seems like the inventors are truly motivated by the desire to help mental illness and hinder stigma. This is a great invention, thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThis is an awesome idea! I have seen technology being used to treat PTSD before, but never to diagnose it. Having lived amongst family members dealing with PTSD I know how hard it can be for them to cope sometimes or truly share their thoughts. This, coupled with VR therapy, has potentially monumental effects on the stigma surrounding PTSD, as well as promoting healthy coping mechanisms.
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