Depressive disorder (also known as depression) is a common mental disorder. It involves a depressed mood or loss of pleasure or interest in activities for long periods of time. Depression is different from regular mood changes and feelings about everyday life. It can affect all aspects of life. Traditional diagnosis mainly relies on doctors’ interviews and patients’ self-reports, which can be subjective. AI is revolutionizing the diagnosis of depression.

AI can analyze a vast amount of data from multiple sources. For example, it can examine speech patterns. Depressed individuals may speak more slowly, use more negative words, or have a flat tone. AI can detect these subtle changes in voice recordings. Additionally, AI can analyze facial expressions from videos. Micro expressions like a faint frown or a lack of eye-contact, which might indicate depression, can be picked up by AI systems. By combining such data with patients’ medical histories, AI can assist psychologists in making more accurate and objective diagnoses.

Once diagnosed, personalized treatment is crucial for depression patients. AI can play a vital role here. It can analyze a patient’s genetic data, lifestyle habits, and psychological profiles to work out customized treatment plans. AI-enabled devices such as wearables and mobile apps are also changing the way we monitor depression. These devices can collect real-time data on a patient’s physical activity, sleep patterns, and heart rate. Irregular sleep, a common symptom of depression, can be easily tracked. A sudden drop in physical activity levels might also indicate a worsening of the depressive state. AI can analyze this data and send alerts to patients, their families, or healthcare providers. This allows for timely intervention, such as adjusting the treatment plan or providing additional support.

AI has great potential in the fight against depression. But as we embrace these technological advancements, we must also be vigilant about protecting patients’ privacy and ensuring that the human element in mental healthcare is not lost. Only in this way can we fully utilize the benefits of AI in helping those struggling with depression.

1.1. How does AI assist in the diagnosis of depression?

A By analyzing genetic data only.

B By examining individual behaviors.

C By interviewing patients directly.

D By relying solely on patients’ self-reports.

解析：选B。B 细节理解题。根据文章第二段中的“For example, it can examine speech patterns.”和“AI can analyze facial expressions from videos.”可知，AI通过分析个人的语言模式和面部表情来辅助抑郁症的诊断，即分析个人行为。故选B。

2.2. What role can AI play in personalized treatment for patients with depression?

A It can analyze patients’ genetic data for customized treatment plans.

B It can replace psychologists in making treatment decisions.

C It can cure depression completely through AI-enabled devices.

D It can monitor patients’ physical activity only when they are asleep.

解析：选A。A 细节理解题。根据文章第三段中的“It can analyze a patient’s genetic data, lifestyle habits, and psychological profiles to work out customized treatment plans.”可知，AI可以通过分析患者的遗传数据来制定个性化的治疗方案。故选A。

3.3. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a benefit of AI in the treatment of depression?

A Enhancing diagnosis accuracy.

B Offering personalized treatment.

C Providing real-time monitoring.

D Offering the emotional support and empathy.

解析：选D。D细节理解题。根据第二段中的“By combining such data with patients’ medical histories, AI can assist psychologists in making more accurate and objective diagnoses.”可知，人工智能可以帮助医生做出更准确、客观的诊断，即提高诊断准确性（A）；根据第三段中的“It can analyze a patient’s genetic data, lifestyle habits, and psychological profiles to work out customized treatment plans.”可知，人工智能可以分析患者的基因数据、生活习惯和心理状况，从而提出定制化的治疗方案，即提供个性化治疗方案（B）；根据第三段中的“These devices can collect real-time data on a patient’s physical activity, sleep patterns, and heart rate.”可知，人工智能设备可以收集患者身体活动、睡眠模式和心率的实时数据，人工智能算法可以分析这些数据，并向患者、他们的家人或医生发送警报。这使得能够及时进行干预，比如调整治疗方案或提供额外支持，即实时监测（C）；根据最后一段中的“ensuring that the human element in mental healthcare is not lost”可知，虽然人工智能可以提供准确的分析和建议，但我们应确保精神医疗中的人文因素不被忽视，因此可推测人工智能可能无法提供人类治疗师给予的情感支持和同理心。故选D。

4.4. What is the author’s attitude towards the use of AI in the fight against depression?

A Uncertain and fearful.

B Excited and unquestioning.

C Optimistic but cautious.

D Completely indifferent.

解析：选C。C推理判断题。根据文章最后一段中的“AI has great potential in the fight against depression…But as we embrace these technological advancements, we must also be vigilant about protecting patients’ privacy and ensuring that the human element in mental healthcare is not lost.”可知，作者认为人工智能在对抗抑郁症方面具有巨大潜力。但在治疗抑郁症中使用人工智能并非没有挑战。一个主要担忧是数据隐私是否得到保护。另一个挑战是缺乏人情味。虽然人工智能可以提供准确的分析和建议，但它无法取代人类治疗师给予的情感支持和同理心。因此作者对AI在抗抑郁斗争中的应用持乐观但谨慎的态度。故选C。