title: Characterological depressions. Clinical and sleep EEG findings separating 'subaffective dysthymias' from 'character spectrum disorders'.
abstract: Early-onset characterological depressions are distinguished from late-onset chronic depressions that complicate the long-term course of unipolar and nonaffective illnesses. In turn, characterological depressions are divisible into at least two subtypes: (1) "Subaffective dysthymias" have even sex distribution, are often complicated by superimposed depressive episodes, rapid eye movement latency is shortened, and they tend to respond to tricyclics of lithium carbonate. In brief, they share many features of primary affective illness. (2) "Character spectrum disorders," by contrast, represent a heterogeneous mixture of personality disorders with inconstant depressive features, are more common in women, are often complicated by alcohol and drug abuse, and outcome tends to be unfavorable.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D006970:Disorders of Excessive Somnolence / Q000523:psychology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D010556:Personality Tests; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D012894:Sleep Stages / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors; D008094:Lithium