What mental disorders can be diagnosed with an electroencephalogram (EEG)?
Mar 24, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lv Zhiqin
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, electroencephalography (EEG) is a method used to assess brain function by recording the spontaneous, rhythmic electrical activity of groups of brain cells through electrodes. It can aid in diagnosing mental disorders such as epilepsy, schizophrenia, manic-depressive disorder (bipolar disorder), mental abnormalities, and sleep disorder-related psychiatric conditions. However, it is important to note that although EEG can assist in the diagnosis of mental disorders, it cannot alone establish a definitive diagnosis.
Under normal circumstances, electroencephalography (EEG) is a method of evaluating brain function by recording the spontaneous and rhythmic electrical activity of cerebral cell populations through electrodes. It can diagnose mental disorders such as epilepsy, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, mental disorders, and sleep-related mental disorders. Specific analyses are as follows:
1. Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent epileptic seizures. EEG can capture abnormal brain waves during seizures, such as spikes and sharp waves, which help confirm the diagnosis of epilepsy and guide whether patients can discontinue antiepileptic drugs.
2. Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder characterized by disturbances in thought, emotion, and behavior. EEG can detect abnormal brain wave patterns in patients with schizophrenia, such as reduced alpha rhythm and increased beta rhythm, providing supportive evidence for diagnosing schizophrenia.
3. Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder characterized by alternating episodes of elevated and depressed mood. EEG can detect changes in brain wave patterns in patients with bipolar disorder during different emotional states, helping physicians assess the patient's emotional status and formulate appropriate treatment plans.
4. Mental Disorders
Mental disorders represent a broad category encompassing various mental disturbances and abnormal behaviors. EEG can serve as an auxiliary diagnostic tool to help physicians identify abnormal brain wave activity in patients with mental disorders, further understanding the patient's condition and providing a basis for treatment.
5. Sleep Disorder-Related Mental Disorders
Sleep disorders may cause or exacerbate mental illnesses. By monitoring changes in brain wave patterns during sleep, EEG enables physicians to determine whether a patient has a sleep disorder and assess its severity. For mental disorders associated with sleep disturbances, EEG aids in diagnosis and treatment planning.
However, it should be noted that although EEG can assist in diagnosing mental disorders, it cannot establish a diagnosis independently. Diagnosing mental disorders requires comprehensive analysis combining the patient's clinical symptoms, medical history, and other diagnostic findings.
References:
[1] Li Shuang. The Significance of Video Electroencephalography in Early Diagnosis of Epilepsy Secondary to Cerebral Infarction [C]// Chinese Society for Life Care. Proceedings of the Academic Seminar on Life Care and Intelligent Health Care - Breaking the Ice in Nursing Management. Jilin City People's Hospital, Jilin Province, China; 2024: 457-459.
[2] Wu Qianqian, Yang Linli. The Application Value of Routine Awake EEG and Sleep-Deprived Video EEG in the Diagnosis of Epilepsy [J]. Chinese Journal of Practical Nervous Diseases, 2024, 27(11): 1364-1367.
