HAYT application: the use of NLP to improve the diagnosis and treatment of anxiety and depression

This paper introduces "How Are You Today?" (HAYT), a mobile application developed to support the diagnosis and treatment of anxiety and depression. HAYT integrates a digital diary and Natural Language Processing (NLP) to analyze emotional states and predict anxiety or panic attacks. Users document their experiences and emotions while completing a questionnaire based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) criteria, helping clinicians monitor symptoms of depression and anxiety. The app combines real-time feedback, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) interventions, and direct communication with mental health professionals via a secure messaging system. Preliminary findings from a feasibility study using synthetic data show a significant correlation between sentiment analysis of diary entries and self-reported depressive symptoms. This suggests HAYT’s potential for improving mental health care accessibility and effectiveness by providing continuous monitoring and personalized support.