Method for diagnosis and treatment of psychological and emotional disorders using a microprocessor-based video game

Claim 2

A microprocessor controlled video game system adapted to receive commands generated by a user suffering a psychological disorder, said system generating complex multidimensional information displays as a first series of outputs to the user in the form of indicia configured and presented in a manner directed to aid in the diagnosis of said psychological disorder, the system comprising: means for controlling said system using a stored protocol directed to said psychological disorder, said protocol comprised of display controlling functions wherein said functions include programming commands for controlling one or more graphical elements presented on said displays; means for inputting said user generated commands into said system wherein said user generated commands are interactively entered by said user in response to said first series of outputs to said user; and means for relaying a second series of outputs to a health care professional, wherein said second series of outputs are specifically configured to provide a presentation of the user's inputs to said health care professional for diagnosing said psychological disorder.

Claim 3

The system of claim 1, wherein said protocol of display controlling functions includes programming commands for manipulating at least one graphical character presented on said displays.

Claim 4

The system of claim 1 further comprising: means for linking said system to a network, said linking means comprising a means for interfacing said microprocessor to said network; and at least one peripheral server linked to said network, said server adapted to receive said inputs and said outputs, and adapted to excahange data within said network.

Claim 5

The system of claim 3, wherein said server comprises: means for receiving said inputs and said outputs; means for storing said inputs and said outputs; and means for processing said inputs and said outputs, further comprised of a second microprocessor controlled data processing unit in communication with said system, wherein said second microprocessor controlled data processing unit is adapted to process and exchange data with said system.

Claim 6

The system of claim 1, wherein said psychological disorder for diagnosis is selected from the group consisting of ADHD, schizophrenia, depression, hyperactivity, phobias, panic attacks, anxiety, overeating, compulsive behaviors, addictiions and substance abuse.

Claim 7

The system of claim 1, wherein said stored protocol is specifically configured to provide a test battery of continuous performance tasks to said user through said displays, and wherein said system further comprises a data collection sub-system for storing and analyzing said user's inputs responsive to said battery and relaying the analytic results via said second series of outputs to said health care professional for diagnosing said psychological disorder.

Claim 8

The system of claim 6, wherein said psychological disorder for diagnosis is ADHD, said battery further comprises auditory and visual delayed reaction time tests for attention, and wherein said subsystem comprises an administrator program for configuring said tests.

Claim 11

The method of claim 8, wherein said psychological disorder for diagnosis is selected from the group consisting of ADHD, schizophrenia, depression, hyperactivity, phobias, panic attacks, anxiety, overeating, compulsive behaviors, addictiions and substance abuse.

Claim 12

The method of claim 8, wherein said stored protocol is specifically configured to provide a test battery of continuous performance tasks to said patient through said interactive display, and wherein said input data from said patient responsive to said test battery is analyzed for diagnosing said psychological disorder.

Claim 13

The method of claim 10, wherein said psychological disorder for diagnosis is ADHD, said battery further comprises auditory and visual delayed reaction time tests for attention.

Claim 14

The method of claim 11, wherein said protocol analyzes said input data from said patient to categorize whether said patient is responsive to maintenance psychostimulants.

Claim 15

A microprocessor controlled video game system adapted to receive commands generated by a user suffering a psychological disorder, said system generating multidimensional information displays as outputs utilizing indicia on said displays configured and presented in a manner directed to the treatment of said psychological disorder, the system comprising: means for controlling said system using a stored protocol directed to said psychological disorder, said protocol comprised of display controlling functions wherein said functions include programming commands for controlling one or more graphical elements presented on said displays; means for inputting said user generated commands into said system wherein said user generated commands are interactively entered by said user in response to said outputs presented on said displays; and means for interpreting said inputted user generated commands, applying said stored protocols to said inputted user generated commands and based thereon, controlling said output to said display wherein said output is specifically configured to provide a presentation to said user that enhances the treatment of said psychological disorder.

Claim 16

A microprocessor controlled video game system adapted to receive commands generated by a user suffering a psychological disorder, said system generating multidimensional information displays as outputs utilizing indicia on said displays configured and presented in a manner directed to the treatment of said psychological disorder, the system comprising: means for controlling said system using a stored protocol directed to said psychological disorder, said protocol comprised of display controlling functions wherein said functions include programming commands for controlling one or more graphical elements presented on said displays; means for inputting said user generated commands into said system wherein said user generated commands are interactively entered by said user in response to said outputs presented on said displays; and means for interpreting said inputted user generated commands, applying said stored protocols to said inputted user generated commands and based thereon, controlling said output to said display wherein said output is specifically configured to provide a presentation to said user that enhances the treatment of said psychological disorder.

Claim 17

The system of claim 13, wherein said protocol of display controlling functions includes programming commands for manipulating at least one graphical character presented on said displays.

Claim 18

The system of claim 13, wherein said psychological disorder for treatment is selected from the group consisting of ADHD, schizophrenia, depression, hyperactivity, phobias, panic attacks, anxiety, overeating, compulsive behaviors, addictiions and substance abuse.

Claim 19

The system of claim 13, wherein said stored protocol is configured to provide experiential education specific for said psychological disorder.

Claim 20

The system of claim 14, wherein said psychological disorder for treatment is ADHD, and said stored protocol is configured to provide opportunities to practice focus of attention and control of impulses, supportive and performance feedback, and general information about ADHD and its treatment.

Claim 23

The method of claim 18, wherein said psychological disorder for treatment is selected from the group consisting of ADHD, schizophrenia, depression, hyperactivity, phobias, panic attacks, anxiety, overeating, compulsive behaviors, addictiions and substance abuse.

Claim 24

The method of claim 19, wherein said psychological disorder for treatment is ADHD, and said treatment regimen includes management of psychostimulant medication.

Claim 27

The method of claim 21, wherein said psychological disorder for monitoring is selected from the group consisting of ADHD, schizophrenia, depression, hyperactivity, phobias, panic attacks, anxiety, overeating, compulsive behaviors, addictiions and substance abuse.

Claim 28

The method of claim 21, wherein said stored protocol is specifically configured to provide a test battery of continuous performance tasks to said patient through said interactive display, and wherein said input data from said patient responsive to said test battery is monitored to facilitate diagnoses and treatment of said psychological disorder.