Depression is one of the fastest going global disorders. While there are several awareness campaigns and promotions done on global platform regularly to increase awareness about the mental disorder, there is still a long way to go for everybody to have an enhanced understanding of the condition, its many forms and ramifications, its diagnosis and its treatment.According to a new study, a 15-minute electrocardiogram could help a physician determine whether a patient has major depression or bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder often falls prey to being misdiagnosed as a case of major depression. However in medical terms they are not the same. The symptoms of the depressive phase of bipolar disorder are similar to that of major depression, the treatment of Bipolar disorder differs from that of depression.
The study explained that in bipolar disorder also formerly referred to as 'manic depression', there is a tendency of the patient to swing from emotional high (manic episode) and severe depression. Now the traditional way to treat the depressed phase includes an antidepressant along with a safeguard such as a mood stabilizer or antipsychotic drug to prevent a switch to a manic episode. If the bipolar disorder is misdiagnosed as simply a case of major depression, a physician can impel a manic episode by prescribing an antidepressant without a defending mood stabilizing drug.
The study published in World Journal of Biological Psychiatry, revealed that heart rate variability, as measured by an electrocardiogram, indicated whether patients had major depression or bipolar disorder.
The authors of the study believe that this non-invasive, easy to use and affordable test to diagnose and differentiate between depression could prove to be breakthrough in studies of psychiatry. For the study, the team enrolled 64 adults with major depression and 37 adults with bipolar disorder. All of them underwent electrocardiograms at the start of the study. Resting comfortably on the table, while a three-lead electrocardiogram was attached to their chest, each patient's electrocardiographic data were collected for 15 minutes
Depression is a serious mental disorder and may require prolonged treatment just like any physical ailment. But there are some natural ways to curb depression. You are what you eat and your diet can play a crucial role in maintaining mental health. Try to include these foods in your daily diet to curb symptoms of depression.
1. Complex carbohydrates: Include foods that are rich in complex carbs in your diet like whole grains and brown rice. A lot of studies have shown that low carb diets have been linked to nervousness, anxiety, decreased concentration and insomnia.
2. Vitamin D: A deficiency of this nutrient if often linked with mood swings and depression. Add natural sources of Vitamin D like mushrooms, eggs and soy milk to your diet.
3. Antioxidants: Antioxidants can help in reducing the oxidative stress on your mental health. Berries and foods like cherries, grapes and dark leafy greens are your best bet.
4. Good quality proteins: Protein rich foods are known to boost alertness. Some of them contain an amino acid called tryptophan which helps your body make the mood boosting brain chemical, serotonin. Peas, beans, soya, lentils and paneer are good options and so are chicken and fish.
These healthy foods can really help in lifting your mood and making you feel better.