Differentiation of Secondary From Primary Mood Disorders: Controversies and Consensus.
The separation of primary and secondary affective disorders is an important clinical and research diagnostic issue. The characteristics and current hypotheses about the pathophysiology of secondary affective disorders are reviewed. The difficulties inherent in the separation of primary from secondary affective disorders are discussed and guidelines are given to help in this process. In contemporary practice, the affective disorder is not treated significantly differently if found to be a secondary disorder. Areas for further research are suggested.