Combating Depression and Anxiety with Computer Assistance

Computer-assisted Cognitive-behavior therapy (CCBT) and mobile mental health applications may be good tools for dealing with anxiety and depression. 

Based on a comprehensive search of medical literature, Matthew Mishkind, PhD, of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Colorado in Aurora, and colleagues found that the evidence for the effectiveness and efficiency of CCBT is sufficient to justify more widespread use. In addition, some mental health apps are effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety and/or depression, at least during short-term use.

CCBT is defined as a digital tool with a series of user interactions intended to deliver a program of core CBT methods for a psychiatric disorder. The principal advantages of CCBT are its documented capacity to greatly reduce the amount of time and effort required from clinicians while making treatment less costly and more convenient for users.

In contrast to CCBT, mobile mental health apps usually provide one or some of the activities of CBT but not a full treatment program for a psychiatric disorder. The reviewers say well-developed apps can supplement in-person treatments by providing real-time status updates to providers. This helps with engaging patients between sessions and alleviating barriers to access. These types of apps can help patients practice new behavioral strategies and skills outside regular therapy sessions.

There are a few major issues that may need to be overcome. Despite the proliferation of mobile mental health apps, few are based on scientific evidence about behavior change. Unfortunately, some offer inaccurate content, and sharing of sensitive user data is common. While most apps can be downloaded for no charge, more than half require in-app purchases to unlock the full functionality.

“CCBT and/or mobile apps are currently a regular component of some comprehensive treatment plans and practices; however, it is likely that most clinicians have not yet fully explored these options or incorporated them into their daily work,” the authors write.

The 2024 results of the American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) annual mental health poll showed that U.S. adults are feeling increasingly anxious. In 2024, 43% of adults reported they feel more anxious than they did the previous year, up from 37% in 2023 and 32% in 2022. Adults are particularly anxious about current events (70%). When asked about a list of lifestyle factors potentially impacting mental health, adults most commonly say stress (53%) and sleep (40%) have the biggest impact on their mental health.

APA President Dr. Petros Levounis said we are living in a world of constant news of global and local turmoil. So, some anxiety is natural and expected. “But what stands out here is that Americans are reporting more anxious feelings than in past years. This increase may be due to the unprecedented exposure that we have to everything that happens in the world around us, or to an increased awareness and reporting of anxiety. Either way, if people have these feelings, they are not alone, and they can seek help,” said Dr. Levounis.

Among adults who have used mental health care in 2024, more than half preferred to meet with a mental health professional in person (55%) rather than via telehealth (30% preferring telehealth).

Logging Off For Better Health

While smartphones and computers may be great tools for combating depression and anxiety. The opposite can also be true. A recent study looked at users who thoughtfully managed their online interactions and those who abstained from social media entirely. The research was led by psychology professor Dr. Amori Mikami and published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General. The researchers found significant mental health benefits, particularly in reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression and loneliness.

With social media use nearly universal among adults, concerns over its impact on mental health have grown. "There's a lot of talk about how damaging social media can be, but our team wanted to see if this was really the full picture or if the way people engage with social media might make a difference," said Dr. Mikami.

Instead of treating social media as an all-or-nothing choice, the study explored whether helping young adults learn "smarter" engagement techniques could enhance their well-being. In the six-week study, 393 adults with some mental health symptoms and concerns about social media's impact on their mental health were split into three groups (a control group that continued their usual routines, an abstinence group asked to stop using social media entirely and a "tutorial" group that was coached in intentional usage.

The tutorials guided participants on fostering meaningful online connections, limiting interactions that encouraged self-comparison, and carefully selecting who they followed. Both the abstinence and tutorial groups reduced their social media use and experienced fewer social comparisons, which is a common trigger for anxiety and low self-esteem. While the tutorial group didn't cut back on social media as much as those who tried to abstain completely, they reported notable improvements in loneliness and fear of missing out (FOMO).

Those who abstained from social media altogether were more successful in reducing depression and anxiety symptoms, yet reported no improvement in loneliness. "Social media is here to stay," she said. "And for many people, quitting isn't a realistic option.” However, with the right guidance, individuals can curate a more positive experience, using social media to support their mental health instead of detracting from it.

The study was conducted at the University of British Columbia in Canada and it only included young adults, who were all under the age of 30. However, regardless of age, the findings may point to just simple ways to combat anxiety and depression.

John Schieszer is an award-winning national journalist and radio and podcast broadcaster of The Medical Minute. He can be reached at medicalminutes@gmail.com