An Agent-Based Model of Contagion Effects in Affected Depression and Its Recovery Process

Abstract

Depression, as the most common mental worldwide disorder, has been the major contributor to suicide deaths. In this paper, we model how depression is contagious among the population using Agent-Based Modeling approach. A sufferer can be affected due to contagion effects of social interactions, particularly from close relationships, then undergo a depressive episode that categorized by mild, moderate, severe. Every episode can be recovered by doing therapy. Those transition processes are described based on gender in a flowchart diagram and simulations, which depend on time using software. Our simulation results represent that the greater contacts rate with someone who affected depression, the more severe of depressive episodes that will be experienced. Further, the greater probability of someone who is going to a therapy can reduce the number of depressed persons over time, especially for contagious depression. Thus, these program simulations and modeling method will be used to calculate and handle the contagion of depression, helping for sufferers’ recovery, and decreasing number of depressed people who commit suicide.