ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN MENTAL HEALTH DIAGNOSIS: OPPORTUNITIES, LIMITATIONS, AND ETHICAL CONCERNS

Main Article Content

Ramsha Irfan
Muhammad Israr
Zohaib Hassan
Muhammad Tarique Arain
Areena Jahangir
Shua Nasir
Humaira Mehwish

Abstract

Background
Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being explored as a tool to enhance mental health diagnostics, aiming to address longstanding challenges such as limited access to care, diagnostic subjectivity, and delayed intervention. The integration of AI into psychiatric assessment has the potential to transform clinical practice by improving early detection, diagnostic accuracy, and personalized treatment strategies.


Objective
This narrative review aims to explore the current applications, opportunities, limitations, and ethical concerns associated with the use of AI in mental health diagnosis, while identifying gaps in the existing literature and offering recommendations for future research and clinical practice.


Main Discussion Points


Recent studies demonstrate that AI models utilizing speech analysis, neuroimaging, and electronic health record data show promise in diagnosing conditions such as depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. However, significant limitations exist, including small sample sizes, methodological biases, lack of diversity in study populations, and challenges in generalizing findings. Ethical concerns such as data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the transparency of AI decision-making processes also remain critical barriers to clinical integration.


Conclusion
Although AI presents substantial opportunities to enhance mental health care, the current evidence base is limited by methodological and ethical challenges. Future research must prioritize rigorous validation across diverse populations, the development of explainable AI systems, and the establishment of clear regulatory and ethical frameworks to ensure equitable and responsible use.

Article Details

Section
Articles
Author Biographies

Ramsha Irfan, The Indus Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.

Year 2 Resident, Family Medicine, The Indus Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.

Muhammad Israr, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan.

Vitreoretinal Fellow, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan.

Zohaib Hassan, Virtual University of Pakistan, Lahore, Pakistan.

Bachelor of Psychology, Virtual University of Pakistan, Lahore, Pakistan.

Muhammad Tarique Arain, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan.

Assistant Professor, Psychiatry, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan.

Areena Jahangir, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China.

Student, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China.

Shua Nasir, Ziauddin University and Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.

Associate Professor, Emergency Medicine, Ziauddin University and Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.

Humaira Mehwish, Bahria University, Karachi Campus, Pakistan.

Department of Software Engineering, Bahria University, Karachi Campus, Pakistan.