Classifying depression by mental state signs.
The possibility that separation of a categorical depressive disease ('melancholia') from remaining depressive disorders can be improved by assessment of mental state signs was examined in patients treated by representative Sydney psychiatrists and patients referred to a specialised mood disorders unit. A set of signs, principally assessing retardation, was derived within the two samples by principal-components and latent-class analyses. Scores were significantly correlated with clinical, DSM-III, and RDC diagnoses, and appeared independent of severity, suggesting that melancholia can be defined phenomenologically. Scores were also associated with several 'validating' factors. Comparative analyses of a refined list of melancholia symptoms suggested that ratings of defined signs are likely to have greater capacity than symptom ratings to differentiate melancholia from residual depressive disorders.
Parker
G
G
University of New South Wales, Australia.
Hadzi-Pavlovic
D
D
Boyce
P
P
Wilhelm
K
K
Brodaty
H
H
Mitchell
P
P
Hickie
I
I
Eyers
K
K
D000275:Adjustment Disorders / Q000145:classification; D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000145:classification