Overview

A web-based expert system that uses Python-based rules and DSM-5-TR criteria to provide preliminary mental health disorder screening. The system walks users through diagnostic questions and provides weighted assessments based on responses.

Warning

This is a prototype system for educational and research purposes only. Not intended for clinical use or actual diagnosis. All diagnoses should be made by qualified mental health professionals.

Installation

1. Clone this repository
2. Create a Python virtual environment:

python -m venv myenv
source myenv/bin/activate  # Linux/Mac
myenv\Scripts\activate     # Windows

3. Install dependencies:

pip install -r requirements.txt
pip install waitress #if on windows

Usage

1. Start the Flask web application:

export FLASK_SECRET_KEY="your_very_secret_key"
gunicorn -w 4 --bind 0.0.0.0:5000 --log-level info app:app
waitress-serve --port=5000 app:app #if on windows

2. Open your web browser to http://localhost:5000
3. Complete the interactive diagnostic assessment
4. Review the analysis results

Details

Diagnostic Assessment

The system evaluates 7 major DSM-5-TR categories:

• Major Depressive Disorder (296.2x)
• Bipolar Disorder (296.4x)
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (300.02)
• ADHD (314.0x)
• Schizophrenia (295.90)
• OCD (300.3)
• PTSD (309.81)

Question Distribution

Total questions per DSM code:

• 296.2x: 9 questions
• 296.4x: 7 questions
• 300.02: 7 questions
• 314.0x: 6 questions
• 295.90: 5 questions
• 300.3: 5 questions
• 309.81: 5 questions

Stand-alone questions (single DSM code) per category:

• 296.2x: 3 questions
• 296.4x: 3 questions
• 300.02: 3 questions
• 314.0x: 3 questions
• 295.90: 4 questions
• 300.3: 5 questions
• 309.81: 5 questions

Methodology

• Dynamic Question Weights: Questions are weighted based on specificity and severity.
• Severity Scaling: Responses scaled as None/Mild/Moderate/Severe.
• Rule-Based Logic: Python rules process responses based on DSM-5-TR criteria.
• Dependency Handling: Questions can be conditionally shown based on previous responses.

Calculations

Question weights are calculated using:

• Base weight: 0.9
• Reduction for multiple DSM codes: -0.2 per additional code
• Severity adjustments:
  • Severe: 100% of weight
  • Moderate: 75% of weight
  • Mild: 50% of weight

Symptom Threshold

For a diagnosis to be considered, the system requires that at least 70% of the relevant symptoms for each disorder are present. Only when 70% or more of the symptom questions for a given DSM-5-TR category are answered affirmatively does the disorder qualify for diagnosis.