Identification of depressive symptoms:A cause-and-effect based machine learning study

To the Editor:As society continues to advance,individuals are increasingly exposed to various stressors in their personal and professional lives.The World Health Organization claims that nearly 1 billion people worldwide suffer from mental disorders in 2019,including 14%of the world’s adolescents.[1]Depression among Chinese adults is a serious public health challenge that requires urgent attention.Due to the combined inuence of various life stresses and unhealthy lifestyles,individuals face a signicantly increased risk of developing depression.[2]Depression is often misdiagnosed because its symptoms overlap with those of other mental health conditions.A misdiagnosis of depression can have a signicant impact on all aspects of an individual’s life.In children,a misdiagnosis can lead to inappropriate academic interventions or unnecessary treatments that can adversely affect their school life and overall well-being.For adults,a misdiagnosis can strain relationships.