Depression diagnostic device, depression diagnostic method, depression diagnostic program, and computer-readable recording medium.

Abstract

To provide a depression diagnostic device, depression diagnostic method, depression diagnostic program, and computer-readable recording medium that enable depression diagnosis with less effort and improved accuracy. [Solution] The depression diagnostic device 100 includes a scene determination unit 111 that determines whether a situation has occurred in which a verbal reaction from the subject is required, a reaction determination unit 112 that determines whether a reaction appropriate to the situation has occurred, a measurement unit 113 that measures the time from when the occurrence of the situation is determined to have occurred until when a reaction has been determined to have occurred, and a diagnostic unit 116 that diagnoses the subject as having depression if the time measured by the measurement unit 113 remains longer than a standard value for a predetermined period of time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a depression diagnosis device, a depression diagnosis method, a depression diagnosis program, and a computer-readable recording medium.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a depression diagnosis method has been proposed in which a patient's blood is collected and analyzed to diagnose whether the patient has depression (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003] [[ID=2,3]]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, although the method described in Patent Document I can diagnose with high accuracy, it requires blood collection, which is very troublesome.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve such conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a depression diagnosis device, a depression diagnosis method, a depression diagnosis program, and a computer-readable recording medium that can reduce the labor and improve the accuracy in depression diagnosis.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The depression diagnostic device according to the present invention is a depression diagnostic device for diagnosing whether a subject has depression, and comprises: a scene determination means for determining whether a situation has occurred in which a verbal reaction to the subject is required; a reaction determination means for determining whether a reaction corresponding to the situation determined by the scene determination means has been made; a measurement means for measuring the time from when the occurrence of the situation is determined by the scene determination means until when a reaction is determined to have been made by the reaction determination means; and a diagnostic means for diagnosing the subject with depression if the time measured by the measurement means remains longer than a standard value for a predetermined period of time.

[0007] The depression diagnosis method according to the present invention is a depression diagnosis method for diagnosing whether a subject has depression, comprising: a situation determination step of determining whether a situation has occurred in which a verbal reaction to the subject is required; a reaction determination step of determining whether a reaction corresponding to the situation determined in the determination step has occurred; a measurement step of measuring the time from when the occurrence of the situation is determined in the situation determination step until when a reaction is determined to have occurred in the reaction determination step; and a diagnosis step of diagnosing the subject with depression if the time measured in the measurement step is longer than a standard value for a predetermined period of time.

[0008] Furthermore, the depression diagnosis program according to the present invention is a depression diagnosis program that causes a computer to function as the depression diagnosis device described above, and the computer-readable recording medium according to the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium on which the depression diagnosis program described above is recorded. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to diagnose depression with less effort and improved accuracy. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing a depression diagnosis system including a depression diagnosis device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a depression diagnostic device. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram showing the correlation between the progression of depression and the speed of reaction. [Figure 4] This flowchart illustrates the depression diagnosis method according to this embodiment, showing the process related to setting reference values, etc. [Figure 5] This flowchart illustrates the depression diagnosis method according to this embodiment, showing the process related to the diagnosis of bipolar disorder. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The present invention will be described below in accordance with preferred embodiments. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown below, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, in the embodiments shown below, some illustrations and descriptions of certain components are omitted. It goes without saying that, regarding the details of the omitted technologies, publicly known or well-known technologies are applied as appropriate, to the extent that they do not contradict the content described below.

[0012] Figure 1 is a diagram showing a depression diagnosis system including a depression diagnosis device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The depression diagnosis system 1 shown in Figure 1 is for diagnosing whether a subject T has depression based on interactions between the subject T and other parties O. In this embodiment, the depression diagnosis system 1 collects information on interactions between the subject T and multiple other parties O, for example, via a network N, using a depression diagnosis device 100 configured as a server, and diagnoses whether the subject T has depression based on the collected information.

[0013] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the depression diagnostic device 100 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 2, the depression diagnostic device 100 is configured to include a control unit 110 and a storage unit (recording medium) 120.

[0014] The memory unit 120 stores a depression diagnosis program that enables the depression diagnosis device 100 to function. The control unit 110 executes the depression diagnosis program stored in the memory unit 120, which causes the scene determination unit (scene determination means) 111, reaction determination unit (reaction determination means) 112, measurement unit (measurement means) 113, period word determination unit (period word determination means) 114, reference value calculation unit 115, and diagnosis unit (diagnosis means) 116 to function.

[0015] The situation determination unit 111 determines whether a situation has arisen where a verbal reaction to subject T is required. For example, if subject T receives an email requesting a reply from other party O, the situation determination unit 111 determines that a situation has arisen where a verbal reaction (especially a reaction requiring text input) is required. The situation determination unit 111 may determine that the above situation has arisen based not only on email, but also on messages via SMS, LINE®, or other SNS (Social Networking Service) such as X. Furthermore, the situation requiring a reaction is not limited to a one-on-one interaction between subject T and other party O, but may also involve an interaction between one person and multiple people.

[0016] Here, the situation determination unit 111 determines whether a response is required based on whether specific words such as "confirm," "review," or "reply" are present in the email, etc. Alternatively, the situation determination unit 111 may determine whether a reply is required by analyzing the text from the other party O using AI (Artificial Intelligence). Furthermore, the situation determination unit 111 may also determine that a reply is required in cases of work requests or the creation of estimates. In particular, if subject T and other party O use a dedicated line for work requests, the situation determination unit 111 may determine that a reply is required if the message is received via the dedicated line. In addition, if a specific file is attached when a work request is made, the situation determination unit 111 may determine that the above situation exists based on the presence or absence of that specific attachment.

[0017] When the scene determination unit 111 determines the occurrence of such a scene, it stores in the storage unit 120 the information on the date and time (the reception date and time in the case of an e-mail), the information on the reaction type which is the appropriate reply content, and the information on the partner O who is the reply destination. For example, assume that there is a request for creating a quotation. In this case, the scene determination unit 111 stores in the storage unit 120 the information on the date and time (the reception date and time of an e-mail or the like) when there is a request for creating a quotation. Also, the scene determination unit 111 stores in the storage unit 120, as the information on the appropriate reply content (the information on the reaction type), the information that a quotation should be sent (the information that the attachment file or the e-mail itself contains price information). Furthermore, the scene determination unit 111 stores in the storage unit 120 the information such as the e-mail address or ID of the partner O who has made a quotation request as the information on the partner O. Note that the information on the reaction type may be determined based on character information such as "Please give me a quotation.", but it is preferably determined and stored by analysis using AI.

[0018] Here, the information on the reaction type includes, for example, various types such as "mere reply", "sending a quotation", "creating and delivering a document", "modifying and delivering a document", and the like.

[0019] Note that in the above or following description, it is assumed that appropriate judgment processing can be executed by giving appropriate teacher data and answers to the AI.

[0020] The reaction determination unit 112 determines whether there is a reaction corresponding to the scene determined by the scene determination unit 111. In this case, the reaction determination unit 112 determines whether there is a reaction corresponding to the scene based on, for example, the information on the appropriate reply content stored in the storage unit 120 and the information on the partner O who is the reply destination. This reaction determination unit 112 may also determine whether there is a reaction based on specific character information, the presence or absence of an attachment file, and the character information of the attachment file, or may perform determination using AI. When there is a reaction corresponding to the scene, the reaction determination unit 112 stores in the storage unit 120 the information on the date and time and the information on the partner O.

[0021] In addition, when the reaction determination unit 112 determines that there is a reaction corresponding to the scene, it may combine the information stored in the storage unit 120 by the scene determination unit 111, the information on the date and time when there is a reaction corresponding to the scene, and the information on the partner O, and store it in the storage unit 120 as new information.

[0022] The measurement unit 113 measures the time from when the scene determination unit 111 determines the occurrence of the scene until the reaction determination unit 112 determines that there is a reaction. This measurement unit 113 measures the time based on the information on the scene occurrence date and time and the information on the reaction occurrence date and time stored in the storage unit 120. When the measurement unit 113 measures the time, it stores the measurement time information in the storage unit 120. In this case, it is preferable for the measurement unit 113 to store the measurement time information separately for each piece of information on the partner O. Furthermore, it is preferable for the measurement unit 113 to store the measurement time information separately for each type of reaction information.

[0023] The period word determination unit 114 determines a word regarding the period until the occurrence of a future reaction when the scene determination unit 111 determines the occurrence of the scene. For example, when a scene where a reaction such as document creation is required occurs, the reaction determination unit 112 determines that a reaction corresponding to the scene has occurred by attaching the document and replying. In this case, the delivery date may be confirmed at the time of requesting document creation. The period word determination unit 114 determines that such a delivery date is the period until the occurrence of a future reaction, and determines the presence or absence of such a period word. Furthermore, the period word determination unit 114 stores such period information in the storage unit 120. At this time, it is preferable for the period word determination unit 114 to store the period word information separately at least for each piece of information on the partner O and each type of reaction information.

[0024] The reference value calculation unit 115 calculates reference values ​​for diagnosing depression and the like, and comprises a first calculation unit 115a, a second calculation unit 115b, and a third calculation unit 115c. The first calculation unit 115a calculates reference values ​​used for diagnosing depression.

[0025] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the correlation between the progression of depression and reaction speed. The inventors of this study found that, as depression progresses, the speed required for reactions tends to slow down. Furthermore, they found that at a certain stage of depression progression, the speed required for reactions slows down sharply, resembling a sigmoid curve. This tendency is particularly pronounced in verbal reactions, and even more pronounced in reactions requiring text input.

[0026] The first calculation unit 115a shown in Figure 2 calculates a baseline value from measurement time information in a normal state where depression has not progressed, in order to capture such trends. For example, suppose a certain subject T takes 1 to 3 hours to reply to a simple email, such as scheduling a meeting, to a specific person O. However, if depression develops in subject T and progresses to a certain extent, it may take 1 to 3 days to reply to a simple email, such as scheduling a meeting. As the reaction speed decreases sharply as depression progresses, the first calculation unit 115a calculates a baseline value based on the reaction speed under normal conditions. Various calculation methods are used for the baseline value, for example, it may be 3 to 30 times or more the normal value.

[0027] Here, it is preferable for the first calculation unit 115a to calculate a standard value separately for each type of reaction. This is because the appropriate standard value differs depending on whether a simple email reply is required as a reaction or whether a reaction involving work such as document creation is required. However, the first calculation unit 115a may calculate a standard value only in specific cases (information of a specific type of reaction), such as when a simple email reply is required as a reaction, and perform a diagnosis of depression, etc., as described later. In this case, a standard value for each type of reaction information is unnecessary.

[0028] The second calculation unit 115b shown in Figure 2 calculates a second reference value used for diagnosing mania. The second reference value is set to be below the reference value. The inventors of this case have found through their research that the speed required for reactions tends to increase as mania progresses. They have also found that, similar to depression, as mania progresses, the speed required for reactions increases sharply at a certain stage of progression, resembling a sigmoid curve. Furthermore, they have found that this tendency is more pronounced in verbal reactions and even more pronounced in reactions requiring text input.

[0029] Therefore, the second calculation unit 115b calculates a second baseline value from measurement time information in a normal state (neither depressive nor manic) when mania is not progressing, in order to capture such trends. For example, suppose a certain subject T takes 1 to 3 hours to reply to a simple email, such as scheduling a meeting, to a specific person O. Now, when mania develops and progresses to a certain extent for subject T, a simple email reply, such as scheduling a meeting, will be made within a few minutes. As the reaction speed increases sharply as mania progresses, the second calculation unit 115b calculates a second baseline value based on the reaction speed in normal conditions. Various calculation methods are used for the second baseline value, for example, it may be set to 1 / 3 to 1 / 30 or less of the normal value. It is preferable for the second calculation unit 115b to calculate the second baseline value separately for each type of reaction, but it is not necessary to calculate them separately.

[0030] The third calculation unit 115c calculates a third criterion value for determining whether a person has severe depression. The inventors have found through research that as depression progresses, the outlook for future reactions also deteriorates, and the period of outlook tends to lengthen. For example, even if a document creation task would normally be completed in three days, if the depression progresses particularly rapidly, subject T might judge that it will take 7 to 10 days. Therefore, the third calculation unit 115c calculates the third criterion value based on information about the duration in a normal state (information stored by the duration word determination unit 114) that is neither depressed nor manic. It is preferable for the third calculation unit 115c to calculate the third criterion value separately for each type of reaction, but it is not necessary to calculate them separately.

[0031] The diagnostic unit 116 diagnoses whether subject T has depression, etc., and comprises a depression diagnostic unit 116a and a mania diagnostic unit 116b. The depression diagnostic unit 116a diagnoses whether subject T has depression. When the occurrence of the above-mentioned situation is determined by the situation determination unit 111 and the occurrence of a reaction is determined by the reaction determination unit 112, the depression diagnostic unit 116a diagnoses whether subject T has depression based on the measurement time measured by the measurement unit 113. In this case, the depression diagnostic unit 116a diagnoses subject T as having depression if the state in which the measurement time is longer than the standard value continues for a predetermined period (at least a period of days, preferably weeks or months). By requiring the depression diagnostic unit 116a to continue for a predetermined period, it is possible to prevent a false diagnosis of depression in the event that the measurement time is accidentally longer.

[0032] Furthermore, if the depression diagnosis unit 116a diagnoses subject T as having depression, it then diagnoses whether the depression is severe. In this case, the depression diagnosis unit 116a further determines whether the word for the period determined by the period word determination unit 114 is longer than the third criterion value. A word for this period that is longer than the third criterion value is called a negative word. If the depression diagnosis unit 116a diagnoses subject T as having depression, and a negative word occurred in relation to the reaction measured during the current measurement period, it determines that the depression is severe. Note that the negative word may also be required to have occurred multiple times during a specific period.

[0033] Here, it is preferable for the depression diagnosis unit 116a to diagnose subject T as having depression if the measurement time for a predetermined percentage or more of the multiple partners O remains longer than the standard value for a predetermined period of time. This is because if subject T has difficulty with a particular partner O, the measurement time may be longer only for that particular partner O. Therefore, it is preferable for subject T to diagnose depression if the measurement time for a predetermined percentage or more of the multiple partners O remains longer than the standard value for a predetermined period of time.

[0034] The mania diagnosis unit 116b diagnoses whether subject T is manic. When the situation judgment unit 111 determines that the above situation has occurred and the reaction judgment unit 112 determines that a reaction has occurred, the mania diagnosis unit 116b diagnoses whether subject T is manic based on the measurement time measured by the measurement unit 113. At this time, the depression diagnosis unit 116a diagnoses subject T as manic if the state in which the measurement time is shorter than a second reference value (which is below the reference value) continues for a specified period (at least a period of days, preferably weeks or months). By requiring the continuation of a specified period for the mania diagnosis unit 116b as well, it is possible to prevent a false diagnosis of mania in the event that the measurement time is accidentally shorter.

[0035] Here, it is preferable that the mania diagnosis unit 116b also diagnoses subject T as having mania if the measurement time for a predetermined percentage or more of the multiple partners O remains shorter than the second reference value for a specified period of time. The depression diagnosis device 100 according to this embodiment can not only collect work-related information but also determine depression or mania based on interactions with family and friends. For this reason, if subject T has a preference for a specific partner O, such as a romantic partner, the measurement time may be shorter only for that specific partner O. Therefore, it is preferable that subject T is diagnosed as having mania if the measurement time for a predetermined percentage or more of the multiple partners O remains shorter than the second reference value for a specified period of time.

[0036] Next, the depression diagnosis method according to this embodiment will be described. Figures 4 and 5 are flowcharts illustrating the depression diagnosis method according to this embodiment, with Figure 4 showing the process related to setting reference values, etc., and Figure 5 showing the process related to bipolar disorder diagnosis.

[0037] The process shown in Figure 4 is performed when the depression diagnostic device 100 has not set any reference values ​​for subject T. Specifically, the depression diagnostic device 100 performs the process shown in Figure 4 within a predetermined period, such as one month, before diagnosing subject T with bipolar disorder.

[0038] First, as shown in Figure 4, the scene determination unit 111 of the depression diagnostic device 100 determines whether a scene has occurred in which a verbal (especially text input) reaction to the subject T is required (S1). If it is determined that the scene has not occurred (S1:NO), this process is repeated until it is determined that the scene has occurred.

[0039] If it is determined that the scene in question has occurred (S1: YES), the scene determination unit 111 acquires information about the other party O, information about the type of reaction, etc. (S2). The scene determination unit 111 then stores this information, as well as the date and time when it was determined that the scene in question had occurred, in the storage unit 120.

[0040] Next, the period word determination unit 114 determines whether there are any words related to the period until a future reaction occurs (words related to the outlook for the period) in relation to the current situation (S3). At this time, the period word determination unit 114 constantly monitors the interaction with the other party O in which the situation occurred and determines whether there are any words related to the period.

[0041] If it is determined that the word does not exist (S3: NO), the process proceeds to step S5. On the other hand, if it is determined that the word does exist (S3: YES), the period word determination unit 114 stores the period word in the storage unit 120 and updates the third reference value (S4). At this time, the third calculation unit 115c may calculate the average value for a predetermined number of past occurrences, or it may perform weighting so that the most recent occurrences are reflected more highly. Alternatively, it may calculate a representative value that excludes outliers or specific opponents O. In addition, it is preferable that the third reference value be calculated for each reaction type.

[0042] Next, the reaction determination unit 112 determines whether there was a reaction appropriate to the situation based on the reaction type information stored in the memory unit 120 and the information of the recipient O to whom the reply will be sent (S5). If it is determined that there was no reaction appropriate to the situation (S5: NO), the process proceeds to step S3.

[0043] On the other hand, if it is determined that there was a reaction appropriate to the situation (S5: YES), the reaction determination unit 112 stores the date and time information and the information of the other party O in the memory unit 120. The measurement unit 113 then measures the time from when it is determined to be "YES" in step S1 to when it is determined to be "YES" in step S5 (S6). At this time, the measurement unit 113 measures the time based on the contents stored in the memory unit 120.

[0044] Subsequently, the first calculation unit 115a and the second calculation unit 115b update the reference value and the second reference value (S7). At this time, the first calculation unit 115a and the second calculation unit 115b may calculate the average value for a predetermined number of past cycles, or they may weight the values ​​so that the most recent values ​​are reflected more highly. Alternatively, they may calculate representative values ​​that exclude outliers. In addition, it is preferable that the reference value and the second reference value are calculated for each reaction type.

[0045] Subsequently, the process moves to step S1. The process shown in Figure 4 is executed repeatedly until a predetermined period of time has elapsed. Once the predetermined period of time has elapsed, the process shown in Figure 5 is executed.

[0046] As shown in Figure 5, first the scene determination unit 111 of the depression diagnostic device 100 determines whether a scene has occurred in which a verbal (especially text input) reaction to subject T is required (S11). If it is determined that the scene has not occurred (S11: NO), this process is repeated until it is determined that the scene has occurred.

[0047] If it is determined that the scene in question has occurred (S11: YES), the scene determination unit 111 acquires information about the other party O, information about the type of reaction, etc. (S12). The scene determination unit 111 then stores this information, as well as the date and time when it was determined that the scene in question had occurred, in the storage unit 120.

[0048] Next, the reaction determination unit 112 determines whether there was a reaction appropriate to the situation based on the information of the reaction type stored in the memory unit 120 and the information of the recipient O to whom the reply will be sent (S13). If it is determined that there was no reaction appropriate to the situation (S13: NO), this process is repeated until it is determined that there was a reaction appropriate to the situation.

[0049] On the other hand, if it is determined that there was a reaction appropriate to the situation (S13: YES), the reaction determination unit 112 stores the date and time information and the information of the other party O in the memory unit 120. Then, the measurement unit 113 measures the time from when it is determined to be "YES" in step S11 to when it is determined to be "YES" in step S13 (S14). At this time, the measurement unit 113 measures the time based on the contents stored in the memory unit 120.

[0050] Subsequently, the depression diagnosis unit 116a of the diagnosis unit 116 determines whether the time measured in step S14 exceeds a standard value (S15). Preferably, this standard value is a standard value for each type of reaction information. If the measured time exceeds the standard value (S15: YES), the depression diagnosis unit 116a determines whether the condition exceeds the standard value for a predetermined percentage or more of the other party O (S16).

[0051] If a certain percentage or more of the other party O are in a state that exceeds the standard value (S16: YES), the depression diagnosis unit 116a determines whether this state has continued for a predetermined period of time (S17). If this state has continued for a predetermined period of time (S17: YES), the period word determination unit 114 determines whether a period word existed for this reaction, such as informing the other party of the deadline in advance (S18).

[0052] If a period word exists (S18: YES), the depression diagnostic unit 116a determines whether that period word is a negative word (S19). Whether a period word is a negative word is determined based on the third criterion value. If the period word is a negative word (S19: YES), the depression diagnostic unit 116a diagnoses subject T as having severe depression (S20). After that, the process shown in Figure 5 is completed.

[0053] On the other hand, if no time period word exists for this reaction (S18:NO), or if the time period word is not a negative word (S19:NO), the depression diagnosis unit 116a diagnoses subject T as having depression (S21). After that, the process shown in Figure 5 is terminated.

[0054] Furthermore, if the measurement time does not exceed the standard value (S15:NO), if the measurement time does not exceed the standard value for a predetermined percentage or more of opponent O (S16:NO), or if the state in which the measurement time exceeds the standard value for a predetermined percentage or more of opponent O does not continue for a predetermined period (S17:NO), the process proceeds to step S22.

[0055] In step S22, the mania diagnosis unit 116b determines whether the measurement time in step S14 is less than the second reference value (S22). Preferably, this second reference value is also the second reference value for each type of reaction information. If the measurement time is less than the second reference value (S22: YES), the mania diagnosis unit 116b determines whether the measurement time was less than the second reference value for a predetermined percentage or more of the other person O (S23).

[0056] If it is determined that the measurement time for a predetermined percentage or more of opponents O falls below the second reference value (S23: YES), the mania diagnosis unit 116b determines whether this state has continued for a specified period of time (S24). If it is determined that this state has continued for a specified period of time (S24: YES), the mania diagnosis unit 116b diagnoses subject T as having mania (S25). After that, the process shown in Figure 5 is completed.

[0057] If the measurement time is less than the second reference value (S22: NO), if the measurement time is not less than the second reference value for a predetermined proportion or more of the other party O (S23: NO), or if the condition in which the measurement time is less than the second reference value for a predetermined proportion or more of the other party O has not continued for a specified period (S24: NO), the diagnostic unit 116 diagnoses that the subject T is in a normal state, neither depressed nor manic (S26). After that, the process shown in Figure 5 is completed.

[0058] In this way, according to the depression diagnostic device 100, depression diagnostic method, depression diagnostic program, and computer-readable recording medium of this embodiment, subject T is diagnosed with depression if the measurement time from when a verbal reaction is requested until the reaction occurs exceeds a standard value for a predetermined period of time. Here, the inventors have found through research that as depression progresses, the speed required for a reaction tends to slow down. Furthermore, they have found that as depression progresses, at a certain degree of progression, the speed required for a reaction slows down sharply, like a sigmoid curve. In particular, they have found that this tendency is especially pronounced in verbal reactions. Therefore, by diagnosing subject T with depression when the measurement time exceeds a standard value for a predetermined period of time, it is possible to diagnose depression with less effort and improved accuracy without requiring blood tests.

[0059] Furthermore, the diagnostic unit 116 diagnoses subject T as having depression if the measurement time for a predetermined percentage or more of the multiple individuals O remains longer than the standard value for a predetermined period of time. Here, if subject T has difficulty with a particular individual O, the measurement time may be longer only for that individual O. Therefore, by diagnosing subject T as having depression only when the measurement time for a predetermined percentage or more of the multiple individuals O remains longer than the standard value for a predetermined period of time, the accuracy of the depression diagnosis can be improved.

[0060] Furthermore, the scene determination unit 111 determines whether a scene has occurred in which the subject T is required to react by entering text. Here, the inventors have found that the tendency for the speed required for a reaction to slow down is even more pronounced in reactions that involve entering text. Therefore, by determining the occurrence of a scene that requires a reaction that involves entering text, the accuracy of depression diagnosis can be further improved.

[0061] Furthermore, the period word determination unit 114 determines a period word that indicates the period until a future reaction occurs, and if, in addition to the above, the period word is determined to be a negative word, the inventor diagnoses subject T as having severe depression. Here, the inventor has found through research that as depression progresses, the outlook for future reactions also deteriorates, and the expected period for things like delivery dates tends to lengthen. Therefore, by diagnosing subject T as having severe depression when, in addition to the above, the period word is determined to be a negative word, the accuracy of the depression diagnosis can be further improved.

[0062] Furthermore, if the measurement time remains shorter than the second baseline for a specified period, subject T is diagnosed with mania. The inventors have found through research that as mania progresses, the speed of reaction tends to increase. They also found that, similar to depression, as mania progresses, the speed of reaction increases sharply at a certain stage of progression, resembling a sigmoid curve. Moreover, this tendency is particularly pronounced in verbal reactions. Therefore, by diagnosing subject T with mania if the measurement time remains below the second baseline for a specified period, mania can be diagnosed without the need for blood tests.

[0063] Although the present invention has been described above based on embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and modifications may be made or publicly known or well-known technologies may be combined without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0064] For example, the above embodiment describes a depression diagnostic device 100 that diagnoses depression, etc., based on reactions requiring text input. However, the depression diagnostic device 100 is not limited to this, and may diagnose depression, etc., based on any verbal reactions, for example, a conversation between subject T and other person O. In this case, the depression diagnostic device 100 collects the reaction speed to the conversation from the conversation information and calculates a reference value, etc. Then, it diagnoses depression based on subject T's reaction speed to the conversation. Furthermore, the conversation is not limited to a face-to-face conversation between subject T and other person O, but may also be an online conversation such as an online meeting. Moreover, it may even be a telephone conversation.

[0065] Furthermore, while the above embodiment described reactions requiring text input assuming communication via email, it is not limited to email and may also involve communication via social media or short messages.

[0066] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the process shown in Figure 4 may be executed only within a predetermined period when a predetermined command (generation of a predetermined signal such as an instruction operation) is received by the depression diagnostic device 100. This is because, for example, if the reaction speed has generally slowed down due to aging compared to when the person was younger, a predetermined command can be issued to recalculate the reference values, etc.

[0067] Furthermore, in the depression diagnostic device 100 according to the above embodiment, in step S18, the period word determination unit 114 determined whether a period word was present in relation to the current reaction, and in step S19, the depression diagnostic unit 116a determined whether it was a negative word. If a negative word was present, the depression diagnostic unit 116a diagnosed subject T as having severe depression. However, the diagnosis is not limited to this; subject T may be diagnosed as having severe depression if the ratio of negative words to period words during a predetermined period is equal to or greater than a specified ratio. Alternatively, subject T may be diagnosed as having depression if the measurement time exceeds a standard value for a predetermined ratio or more of opponent O, and a negative word is present (or the ratio of negative words is equal to or greater than a specified ratio), and subject T may be diagnosed as not having depression if any one of these conditions is not met.

[0068] Furthermore, even if the measurement time does not exceed the standard value for a predetermined proportion of subjects O, if, for example, the subject has a history of depression, or if a family member or cohabitant has a history of depression, the subject T may be diagnosed with depression once the measurement time exceeds the standard value for a predetermined period of time. Also, even if the subject, their family, and cohabitants have no history of depression, the subject T may be diagnosed with depression once the measurement time exceeds the standard value for a predetermined period of time for other reasons. The same applies to mania.

[0069] Furthermore, in the above, the diagnostic unit 116 determines whether subject T has depression or mania based on the measurement time measured by the measurement unit 113. However, the diagnostic unit 116 may also use the reciprocal of the measurement time measured by the measurement unit 113 as the reaction time and diagnose depression based on whether the reaction time is slower than a first predetermined value, or diagnose mania based on whether the reaction time is faster than a second predetermined value.

[0070] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the depression diagnosis program is stored in the storage unit 120 of the depression diagnosis device 100, but it is not limited to this and may be stored in other types of recording media such as HDD, USB, CD-ROM, CD-R, etc.

[0071] In addition, although the above embodiment assumes that the depression diagnostic device 100 is a single device, it is not limited to this and may be a system composed of multiple devices. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0072] 1: Depression Diagnosis System 100: Depression diagnostic device 111: Scene judgment unit (scene judgment means) 112: Reaction determination unit (reaction determination means) 113: Measurement unit (measurement means) 114: Period word determination unit (period word determination means) 115: Reference Value Calculation Unit 115a: 1st calculation part 115b: 2nd calculation section 115c: 3rd calculation part 116: Diagnostic Unit (Diagnostic Methods) 116a: Depression Diagnosis Department 116b: Mania Diagnosis Department 120: Memory unit (recording medium) O: Opponent T: Subject

Claims

1. A depression diagnostic device that diagnoses whether a subject has depression, A situation determination means for determining whether a situation has occurred in which a verbal reaction to the subject is required, A reaction determination means for determining whether there was a reaction corresponding to the scene determined by the scene determination means, A measuring means for measuring the time from when the occurrence of the scene is determined by the scene determination means until when a reaction is determined to have occurred by the reaction determination means, A diagnostic means for diagnosing a subject with depression when the time measured by the measurement means exceeds a standard value for a predetermined period of time, A depression diagnostic device characterized by being equipped with the following features.

2. The aforementioned situation determination means obtains information about the person who asked the subject for a reaction, The diagnostic means diagnoses a subject with depression if, for a predetermined proportion or more of the multiple subjects, the time measured by the measurement means remains longer than the standard value for a predetermined period of time. The depression diagnostic device according to feature 1.

3. The aforementioned situation determination means determines whether a situation has occurred in which the subject is required to react by entering text. The depression diagnostic device according to feature 1.

4. If the occurrence of the aforementioned situation is determined by the aforementioned situation determination means, the system further comprises a period word determination means for determining a word that indicates the expected period until a future reaction occurs. The diagnostic means diagnoses the subject with severe depression if the time measured by the measurement means is longer than the reference value for a predetermined period of time, and the word determined by the period word determination means is a negative word that has been used for a longer period than the third reference value. The depression diagnostic device according to feature 1.

5. The diagnostic means diagnoses the subject as having mania if the time measured by the measurement means remains shorter than a second reference value for a specified period of time. The depression diagnostic device according to feature 1.

6. A depression diagnostic method for diagnosing whether a subject has depression, A situation determination process to determine whether a situation has occurred in which a verbal reaction to the subject is required, A reaction determination step which determines whether there was a reaction corresponding to the scene determined in the scene determination step, A measurement step that measures the time from when the occurrence of the scene is determined in the scene determination step until when a reaction is determined to have occurred in the reaction determination step, A diagnostic step in which, if the time measured in the measurement step is longer than a standard value for a predetermined period of time, the subject is diagnosed with depression. A method for diagnosing depression, characterized by comprising the following features.

7. A depression diagnosis program for causing a computer to function as a depression diagnosis device according to claim 1.

8. A computer-readable recording medium on which the depression diagnostic program described in claim 7 is recorded.

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