title: Comparison of DSM-III-R chronic major depression and major depression superimposed on dysthymia (double depression): validity of the distinction.
abstract: The nosology of chronic depression has become increasingly complex since the publication of the revised third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III-R; American Psychiatric Association, 1987), but there are few data available to evaluate the validity of the distinctions between the subtypes of chronic depression. The validity of the distinction between DSM-III-R chronic major depression (CMD) and major depression superimposed on dysthymia (double depression, DD) was examined. Participants were 635 patients with chronic depression in a 12-week trial of antidepressant medications. Patients with CMD, DD, and a 3rd group with a chronic major depressive episode superimposed on dysthymia (DD/CMD) were compared on demographic and clinical characteristics, family history, and response to treatment. Few differences were evident, although the depression of patients with DD/CMD tended to be more severe.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University 23284-2018, USA.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: McCullough
authors.forename: D N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Keller
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Holzer
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Kornstein
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Howland
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Thase
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Harrison
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D019263:Dysthymic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results