Taxonomic analysis of depressive states of varying aetiology.
A new mathematical dendrite method for the diagnosis of depressions is outlined. The method is based on an inventory of 134 items representing symptoms of features encountered in depressive states, and its aim is to determine the 'set' of each individual in a group of patients. By means of mathematical analysis the sets of individual features are arranged in such a way as to produce a dendrite, i.e., the shortest broken line connecting the various features. The sets can then be divided into subtypes. The advantages of this method - the application of which to a group of 30 test-subjects is described - are that it ensures a maximum degree of objectivity, is simple to perform, and yields easily interpretable results.
D003863:Depression / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008433:Mathematics; D010552:Personality Assessment; D010555:Personality Inventory