Atypical depression with hypomanic symptoms.
BACKGROUND
Depressive mixed states (major depressive episodes with some hypomanic symptoms) (DMS) are not classified in DSM-IV and are understudied. The aims of this study were to find the prevalence and clinical features of DMS in atypical depression.


METHODS
A total of 87 bipolar II and unipolar depressed outpatients were interviewed within the DSM-IV Structured Clinical Interview.


RESULTS
More than two hypomanic symptoms were present in 50.0% of the atypical and 20.3% of the non-atypical depression cases (P=0.006). DMS mainly included irritable mood, distractibility, racing thoughts, and increased talking.


CONCLUSIONS
There was a single interviewer, and it was a non-blind, cross-sectional assessment, with bipolar II reliability.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings have treatment implications, as antidepressants may worsen DMS, and mood stabilizers may improve it.
Benazzi
F
F
Department of Psychiatry, National Health Service (A.USL), P. Solieri 4, 47100 Forlì, Italy. f.benazzi@fo.nettuno.it
D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
D000928:Antidepressive Agents