Pandemic Depression Symptoms During COVID-19

Throughout the pandemic, there have been numerous reports on varying symptoms:

・Poor sleep
・Poor appetite
・Prolonged low moods
・Difficulties going to work or school
・Lack of motivation in work, studies, or housework
・Diminished focus leading to increased mistakes
・Diminished enjoyment in previously fun activities
・Increased consumption of alcohol or tobacco products

There are many other symptoms, but in general, the more of these symptoms that apply, the higher the risk of developing depression.

Excessive worry and overcautiousness can also cause additional stress. In a study across the elderly population in Japan, one woman reported that she wakes up many times throughout the night to make sure her sense of smell is still functional. She lost her job due to the spread of COVID-19, and when she finally found a new job, she was nervous about whether or not she was infected before her first day of work.

Many of us have become more sensitive to the little things, more easily irritated, and more short-tempered. This pandemic has changed our lives so drastically. The challenges in adapting to these new circumstances could manifest into increased sensitivities to what we were okay with previously. This is why we could be much more susceptible to depression than usual.

3 Ways to Prevent Pandemic Depression

Regular stress relief becomes essential to avoid pitfalls into depression. Below are three useful techniques for relieving stress.

1. Write Down Anxieties

Write down all fears and worries that come to mind on a piece of paper. Then, divide them into two groups of “resolvable” and “unresolvable.”
The COVID-19 pandemic is something that no one could have predicted. Sometimes there are limitations to what we can resolve under these unforeseen circumstances beyond our control. Make the decision to let go of what cannot be fixed and focus on what’s possible. Organizing these thoughts will help calm the mind because it visually clarifies our fears. Once we’re clear on our next steps towards bettering a situation, our follow up action will help combat these depressive states.

An easy stress relief method similar to this is the “negativity trash can” technique. It’s as simple as writing down the negativity we feel and physically throwing it away. It can be practiced simultaneously, so give it a try as well!

2. Journaling to Create Healthy Routine Habits

Keeping a daily journal is known to improve mental health. Journaling helps reconsider the way we live our lives and assists in stabilizing healthier routine habits. This can serve as a deterrent to excessive drinking, mild addictions, and binge eating.

A color-coded format for journaling is encouraged. For example, we can categorize by color:

• Black ink for work-related
• Blue ink for family relationships
• Yellow ink for personal matters
• Red ink for health-related

This way, it’s easier to reflect and reevaluate the activities we go through and develop alternative ways to make improvements.

3. Exercise

The spread of COVID-19 has made it challenging to communicate in person. As a result, many of us have fewer opportunities for physical activity.

Here’s an interesting study result. A large cohort study in the United Kingdom in 2020 found that people who walked slower had about a 66% higher risk of contracting COVID-19 than those who walked faster. It’s still unclear what the causal relationship is between walking speed and the risk of infection. Yet, studies have shown that walking speed is closely related to aerobic capacity. People with high aerobic capacity are reported to have higher respiratory, circulatory, and immune function, which suggests that people with slower walking speed may be more susceptible to infection due to lower levels of these functions,

Physical exercise is known to help with depression and improve our mental state. A lack of exercise can lead to various adverse effects, such as hormone imbalance and sleep disturbances. As we spend more time indoors, we need to find creative solutions to keep ourselves physically active while maintaining social distance regulations.

Surviving Pandemic Depression with an AI Counseling App

Unlike physical discomforts, mental discomforts are much more difficult to recognize. If discomforts persist and you still feel “off,” don’t be afraid to ask for help. The special circumstances and restrictions under COVID-19 can quickly cultivate a state of isolation and depressive moods. Make sure to communicate with family and friends by phone, email, and social media. Don’t be afraid to reach out to a specialist if support is necessary. There are plenty of online counseling services and medications available, so don’t hesitate to consult a doctor.

However, some people may feel uncomfortable talking to friends, family, or a counselor. For such people, we recommend an artificial intelligence (AI) counseling app. In the era we live in now, an AI can easily provide personalized counseling and support our daily journey towards bettering our mental health. Since it’s an AI app, there’s no fear of judgment, and we can seek help anytime, anywhere, whenever the need arises. SELFMIND is a fantastic AI counseling app if you’re facing mental struggles and have no one to talk to.

Let’s make sure we care for our mental health as we survive through this pandemic and navigate through the mental pitfalls.

If you’re looking for more tips on how to care for your mental health, check out some of our past blog posts!
→ Looking to improve your mental health? Try the SELFMIND app FREE for a week!

Image: Unsplash
Reference:
Kimura, M., Ojima, T., & Kondou, K. (2020). Implications for Older People’s Lifestyle During the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic: The Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study (JAGES). Japanese Journal of Health & Research, 41, 3-13.  doi:10.32279/jjhr.20200602

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The University of Oxford suggests that about 47% of existing jobs in the US will be automated with the use of AI. Furthermore, this is purported to happen in the near future, due to development of technology. Can we really expect to see a future where AI will perform all the jobs humans currently do? Is it possible for AI to replace the activities that inspire and heal people, such as entertainment and the arts? Will artificial general intelligence change reality as we know it? It may be time to seriously consider how we should face the rapidly evolving possibilities of AI.

AI Technology in Entertainment

As AI technology develops, new AI-based technologies and services are becoming a frequent topic of discussion. In 2015, “Rinna,” an AI high school girl developed by Microsoft Japan, made a huge splash as an AI. Rinna is a machine that can interact with users through social networking sites and other services. In 2019, she signed a contract with Avex Entertainment and even made her debut as a singer. As you can see, AI technology is already prevalent throughout the entertainment industry today. Below, we’ve compiled a list of examples of what each industry has to offer.

Gaming Industry

Since AI is a computer simulation of intelligent human activities, it has a strong affinity with computer games. There has been a long trail of AI research in the field of gaming. In recent years, major GPU manufacturer NVIDIA made a big splash when it announced its successful recreation of the popular Pac-Man game by training AI through watching videos of the game. One of the attractions of modern blockbuster RPGs is the “open world”. This allows players to freely explore vast maps, researchers believe AI technology can be used in their development.

In other examples, the progress of AI in the field of shogi (Japanese chess) has also been remarkable. In 2013, an AI competed against a professional player and won. This attracted the attention of many people. In 2016, there were even allegations that a professional player used a shogi AI to “cheat” during a competition.

Music Industry

Efforts are underway in the music industry to use AI in various ways. In 2016, Sony Computer Science Laboratories developed a compositional AI. It could create a pop song that resembled the style of The Beatles. This demonstrated that music production by AI was possible. Since then, AI in music production has become a major global trend with indie musicians forefronting the movement. With artificial general intelligence, we may one day enter a world where all hit songs are created by AI.

Internet-based streaming services have also become widely used in the modern music industry. Tens of thousands of new songs are uploaded to these streaming services every day. Furthermore, over 10 million new songs are registered every year. Users and music professionals sift through vast amounts of music to try and find the most promising music, and right now this is a big challenge in the music industry. In the future, the use of an AI for streaming will effectively manage how we find our music.

Film Industry

One of the strengths of an AI is its ability to analyze film and imagery. This technology is applied in analyzing surveillance footage. However, frame extractions with specific subjects in the footage or automatic tracking of specific subjects while filming are already possible. These technologies should eventually improve the efficiency of the film shooting and editing process. Imagine a world where AI, through artifical general intelligence, creates and animates a full-length, award-winning film!

Another example of AI use in film is “deep faking”. For this technology, an AI generates and combines new images and videos by learning a person’s facial expressions, voice, and mouth movements when they speak. This creates images that make it appear as if a real person is moving and talking of their own volition. It’s a controversial technique that’s highly susceptible to improper political use and human rights violations. Regulations of this technology need to be implemented as soon as possible.

Can AI or AGI Create Art?

A variety of creative activities already intimately involve AI, and this trend will likely accelerate in the future. However, its role in the creative process is currently limited to improving efficiency, reproducing existing works, and extracting elements. With today’s technology, an AI in the field of art is only there to support humans. Can AI become advanced to a point where its creativity surpasses a human artist? Ray Kurzweil, American futurist and authority on AI research, predicts the development of an AI equivalent to the average educated human by 2029. If AI really rivals or surpasses humans, AI that is capable of creating art from scratch may become common. We may someday find ourselves in a world where artificial general intelligence creates most of the art and media that we consume!

On the other hand, some philosophers assert that AI will never surpass the most creative artists and thinkers. They say that creativity is the highest level of human achievement. Furthermore, that because it is socially embedded, it will not succumb to the advances of an AI. However, if humans perceive artificial intelligence as far superior to themselves, and society recognizes its creativity, then it could be an artist. This does not mean that AI is superior to humans, but a result of humans disregarding their own creativity. If we truly believe in the sacredness of “art” that doesn’t depend on an evolving AI, then we must strongly protect human creativity, no matter how much AI technology progresses.

Living Alongside Technological Advances

As AI advances, technicians incorporate its use into various entertainment industries, and its artistic potential is an ongoing discussion. Kurzweil predicts that once a machine with human-level intelligence is born, there will be an explosion of technological advances. When that happens, entertainment will be completely different from what it is today. It likely won’t be a far future for AI to create entertainment for humans to enjoy.

As the aforementioned “deep faking” shows, the practical applications of AI technologies have not reached a full discussion for global regulations. In addition, as AI technology continues to make inroads into the entertainment industry, artists, creators, and staff involvement will find challenges in how they approach their work. We need to prepare for this future of unstoppable technological advances, as we try to grasp the consequences of its potential.

If you’re looking for more tips on how to care for your mental health, check out some of our past blog posts!
→ Looking to improve your mental health? Try the SELFMIND app FREE for a week!

Image：Unsplash
References：

Asada, M. (2004). Entertainment Robotics and Emotion/Intelligence. Journal of Japanese Society for Artificial Intelligence, 19(1), 15-20. doi: 10.11517/jjsai.19.1_15

Katayose, H. (2004). Creative Musical Tasks and AI. Journal of Japanese Society for Artificial Intelligence, 19(1), 21-28. doi: 10.11517/jjsai.19.1_21

Nakatsu, R. (2004). Entertainment and AI. Journal of Japanese Society for Artificial Intelligence, 19(1), 2-9. doi: 10.11517/jjsai.19.1_2

The post Artificial General Intelligence in the Future of Entertainment appeared first on SELF MIND.

Increased AI Support for the Elderly

There are 3 main types of support that can be provided by artificial intelligence.

1. Medical and nursing care assistance
2. Living and lifestyle support
3. Communication support

Let’s look at each of these areas in detail below.

1. Medical and Nursing Care Assistance

In the fields of medical and nursing care, artificial intelligence is going to be of great assistance. Specifically, in solving the shortage of doctors as a result of the aging population. In addition, artificial intelligence is going to be able to perform detailed tasks and manage data more accurately and quickly than human hands. This will be very useful in the medical field, which deal with many complicated and enormous tasks.

In order for artificial intelligence to take root in the medical field, it is necessary to improve its functions and accuracy. The following are some areas in which artificial intelligence is expected to play an active role in medical care.

Diagnostic support
・At-home medical evaluations
・Sharing of biometric data
・Diagnostic imaging (skin, endoscopy, fundus, radiology imaging, etc.)

Cooperation between AI and specialist doctors
・Comprehensive diagnosis based on interview, physical examination, diagnostic imaging, and other examination findings.
・Prescription support (automated adjustment of dosage for renal function, analyzing drug interactions, etc.)
・Online medical treatment (patient and doctor, doctor and specialist, etc.)

Patient support
・Sharing requested information with parents in an easy-to-understand manner.

2. Living and Lifestyle Support

Nowadays, there are many devices with useful functions such as cleaning robots, electric wheelchairs, and self-driving cars. These technologies are utilized not only by the elderly but also by the general public. They are a necessity for some people who have difficulty in daily life on their own. These types of AI technology have the advantage of reducing the burden on the caregivers. In addition, they can assist in daily activities for those who require support. In other words, AI support can help both the caregivers and those who receive the care.

Moreover, many people who receive nursing care suffer from self-loathing, such as believing that they are a burden on others. For such individuals, AI support through robots could also help with regards to mental wellness and reducing anxiety.

In addition to the above, the systematization of once-manual activities, such as cashless payment and touch panels in restaurants, will help solve the labor shortage that results from an aging society. In order to actualize this, artificial intelligence needs to become more accessible for people of all ages and abilities.

3. Communication Support

Supporting communication is one of the most attractive features of artificial intelligence. There are many AI that can talk to people, such as “Alexa” and “Siri”. Both are AI assistants with a voice recognition system. Furthermore, they use natural language processing. This provides great support for people who have difficulty communicating, or even for those who feel lonely. There are also smartphone applications that claim to be artificially intelligent, making it possible for people to communicate with AI. The number of elderly people who suffer from loneliness is not small. Simply talking with someone can be expected to calm the mind and alleviate loneliness. This is just one of the ways in which the future of artificial intelligence could support the elderly population through communication.

Conversation is also good for your health because it uses your brain. The motor cortex in the frontal lobe activates when you talk, because you move your mouth and tongue. In addition, the auditory cortex in the temporal lobe activates when you use your ears to listen. The hippocampus, which is involved in memory, also becomes stimulated. Lastly, the prefrontal cortex is also activated by thinking while talking. In other words, conversation is a task that requires the brain to work at full speed. The further development of communication AI will be a great ally for the elderly, who may be prone to lack of communication.

Artificial Intelligence is Learning from Nursing Care Studies

One study observed caregiving practices across nursing care facilities in Japan. AI development received inspiration from the behavior of elderly residents in care facilities when they refuse to take baths. In general, when a resident does not want to take a bath, caregivers will consider this as a “refusal”. In these situations, the resident typically takes a bath on another day, or is forced to bathe.

At one facility, however, staff members make small talk with elderly people who do not want to take a bath. The caregivers hold casual conversations with the residents that are unrelated to bathing, observing the changes in gestures and facial expressions in the residents. This helps to ease the residents’ minds and calms them down. Once the resident is soothed, the caregiver will once again ask them to take a bath. More often than not, the resident will agree to the bath after this casual conversation.

AI development received hints from this study, through data conversion of information such as the caregiver’s tone of voice, eye contact, and other behaviors practiced while communicating with the residents. The accumulation of this information helps in the development of artificial intelligence that can effectively and compassionately communicate with the elderly population.

How is AI Different from a Robot?

As a side note, robots and AI are completely different things. A robot can perform a predetermined action in a precise and repetitive manner. They are not capable of learning and cannot make decisions on their own. This is because they cannot perform actions other than those that have been programmed.

Artificial intelligence, on the other hand, is able to learn and evolve like the human brain. For example, it can assist in nursing care, as described above, or learn to play games such as chess. This is possible through the simulation of hundreds and thousands of potential outcomes in the game. AI is capable of judging what the situation is and making the best move for the situation. As such, the future of AI is very exciting and the possibilities of application are practically endless.

Future Challenges for AI Development

In this way, artificial intelligence and other technologies can provide great support for the elderly in this aging society. The future of AI technology may provide endless possibilities in making our lives easier. However, we cannot deny that the technology it is still in its infancy.

While AI can perform fixed and routine tasks, they struggle with tasks that require a large amount of data collection. Moreover, they are not good at responding to what humans call “intuition” based on their past experience. As such, quantitative information is required to give accurate instructions. Research will continue to be conducted in areas where this is not possible.

It is no exaggeration to say that the development of technology will make people’s lives even more convenient. This does not only apply to the elderly. On the other hand, there are concerns that AI may take away human jobs. However, the likely truth is the future of artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies will become indispensable elements to overcome the declining birthrate and aging population in today’s society.

→ Looking to improve your mental health? Try the SELF MIND app FREE for 1 week!
If you’re looking for more tips on how to care for your mental health, check out some of our past blog posts!

Image: Unsplash
References:
Otake, M. (2016). AI for Prevention of Dementia and Assisting People with Dementia and Development of Support Services for Prevention of Dementia Co-created with Older Adults. Journal of the Japanese Society for Artificial Intelligence 31(3), 363-370. doi: 10.11517/jjsai.31.3_363

Sakamoto, M. (2016). Special Issue on “Super-Aging Society and AI: Social Life Support”. Journal of the Japanese Society for Artificial Intelligence, 31(3), 324-325. doi: 10.11517/jjsai.31.3_324

Takayanagi, H. (2019). Expectation for AI (Artificial Intelligence) on Elderly Medical Care. Japanese Journal of Geriatrics, 56(3), 254-259. doi: 10.3143/geriatrics.56.254

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