Portable Psychiatry: Access a Therapist Anytime with Innovative Apps

For nearly her entire life, psychiatrist and computer scientist Alex Leow has played the piano. She’s observed that her performance varies with her mood, prompting her to research a similar connection in typing behavior. In 2018, she developed the app BiAffect, aimed at capturing mood-related symptoms of bipolar disorder through smartphone typing data.

The app is currently used by over 2,700 volunteers, collecting typing performance and sensor data to reveal insights about mood stability. One significant finding is that manic episodes correspond with increased typing speed.

Unlike most mood-tracking applications that require manual input, BiAffect operates passively, collecting various data—including typing dynamics, user motion, and phone usage patterns—to alert users or their caregivers about concerning mood shifts.

While such applications cannot diagnose or treat conditions outright, researchers are leveraging them as valuable mental health instruments. “The integration of these signals presents significant, immediate clinical value,” asserts John Torous, director of digital psychiatry at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

Globally, one in eight people contend with a mental illness, including 40 million diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Passive mental health apps face reliability issues and must undergo rigorous testing to prove their efficacy. The financial collapse of companies like Mindstrong, which failed to align their research pace with business objectives, highlights the challenges this field faces.

To effectively analyze collected data, developers need high-quality, wide-ranging studies. A standardized approach, including appropriate sampling rates and demographic representation, is crucial.

Transparent data practices will play a significant role in user trust, especially given potential privacy concerns. Mental health professionals advocate for fintech-type app ecosystems that prioritize user safety and data integrity.