The nosological status of bereavement-related depressions.
BACKGROUND
The validity of excluding bereavement-related depressive episodes which satisfy all the criteria of major depression is examined in this community study.


METHODS
A total of 658 subjects were interviewed in their homes using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule. The length of the episodes of depression, the dysfunction they caused, and the frequency of seeking and receiving treatment were assessed.


RESULTS
The risk of recurrence did not differ whether the depressive episodes that satisfy the DSM-III-R criteria of major depression were or were not related to bereavement.


CONCLUSIONS
Excluding from the repertoire of depressions all those related to external stressors might need more research, but singling out those related to bereavement does not seem to be supported by our community-based data.
Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, St George's Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon.
E G
EG
Karam
D000275:Adjustment Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001601:Bereavement; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007861:Lebanon / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome