title: Differential diagnosis of chronic depressive disorders.
abstract: This article has traced the development of the diagnostic nomenclature for the chronic affective disorders during the past four decades. Much has been accomplished. In fact, our current differential diagnostic capabilities have surpassed our knowledge of how to treat the chronic depressions. It is hoped that in the next decade there will be notable increases in the treatment efficacy literature of the chronic mild depressions. Next, we suggest that practitioners assist academic investigators in determining the best way to treat the chronic depressions. To realize this goal, clinicians must begin to view themselves as part-time researchers. Several technological procedures have been described to facilitate this undertaking. We suggest that the assumption of such a research practitioner role will, in the long run, improve the quality of patient care.
authors.affiliation: Unipolar Mood Disorders Institute, Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, USA.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: McCullough
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Kornstein
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: McCullough
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Belyea-Caldwell
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Kaye
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Plybon
authors.forename: L K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Kruus
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome