EKG Reading can detect Psychiatric Disorders

According to a new study researchers found that a simple 15 minute electrocardiogram could help a physician to determine whether a patient has depression or bipolar disorder. EKG may help in easy diagnosis of depression and bipolar disorder. 

In the study 67 adults diagnosed with depression and 37 adults diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The symptoms of bipolar disorder are similar to that of major depression but the treatments are different. Researchers performed a 15 minutes EKG test  for each of the patients. Researchers converted the electrocardiographic data into components of heart rate variability. 

In the beginning of study major depression has higher RSA when compared with bipolar disorder. Researchers found that patients with bipolar disorder had higher blood levels of inflammation than patients with major depression. 

The National Alliance of Mental Illness defines bipolar disorder as mental illness that causes a dramatic shift in a person’s mood, energy and ability to think clearly. Major depression shows no major mood fluctuations. Bipolar disorder, especially Bipolar II Disorder is commonly misdiagnosed as major depression. 

According to the study Bipolar disorder affects around 2.6 percent of american adults and major depression affects around 6.7 percent. Study proved that major depression is the leading worldwide mental illness. 

Diagnosing in mental health issues with accuracy is the key to treating and helps in harm reduction. So, this fifteen minutes test could help to change the cause of Bipolar Disorder and Major Depression.