Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder share many traits. Both are severe mental illnesses that significantly impact quality of life. Both are associated with autonomic nervous system dysfunction, which can be assessed through heart activity analysis. (Indeed, there is an ongoing debate whether the two diseases, which are classified as distinct based on patients’ symptoms, actually represent a continuum). Both can be challenging to diagnose. And early detection of both diseases is crucial to better outcomes.

Diagnosis in the prodromal stage — after the appearance of early warning signs and symptoms, but before the full onset of schizophrenia, which leads to a gradual decline in emotional, behavioral and cognitive functioning — is uncommon. Later diagnosis often results in admission to a psych

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