Is atypical depression a moderate severity depression? A 536-case study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if atypical depression is less common among outpatients with severe depression than among those with nonsevere depression.


METHODS
Case series.


METHODS
Private practice.


METHODS
Five hundred and thirty-six consecutive outpatients presenting for treatment of unipolar or bipolar II depression.


METHODS
Prevalence of atypical depression among patients with severe depression (Global Assessment of Functioning Scale [GAF] score of 50 or less) and nonsevere depression.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference in the prevalence of atypical depression between patients with severe and nonsevere depression.


CONCLUSIONS
Results do not support previous studies that atypical depression is usually of moderate severity. A rating scale like the GAF, which assesses both symptom severity and impairment of functioning, may give a more complete assessment of depression severity than a symptoms rating scale (used in previous studies), which does not cover atypical features and does not assess functioning.
Benazzi
F
F
Department of Psychiatry, Morgagni Public Hospital, Forlì, Italy. f.benazzi@fo.nettuno.it
D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015897:Comorbidity; D003863:Depression / Q000145:classification* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000145:classification* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index