Atypical and non-atypical subtypes of depression: comparison of social functioning, symptoms, course of illness, co-morbidity and demographic features.
BACKGROUND
There are scant data regarding the demographic and psychosocial characteristics of outpatients with Atypical Depression (AD).


METHODS
The demographic characteristics, rates of chronic dysphoria, baseline Symptom Check List Revised, and Social Adjustment Scale scores of 320 moderately depressed patients with and without AD were compared.


RESULTS
ADs had a higher number of self-reported symptoms, greater impairments in functioning, and higher rates of chronic dysphoria and bipolar II than patients without Atypical Depression (NAD).


CONCLUSIONS
Variables used in this study were mostly cross-sectional, and the analyses were performed post-hoc.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest ADs had a more pernicious course of illness than NADs, and that patients with AD were more symptomatic and dysfunctional at admission.
Agosti
V
V
New York State Psychiatric Institute and the Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, NY 10032, USA. agostiv@pi.cpmc.columbia.edu
Stewart
J W
JW
D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D019263:Dysthymic Disorder / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D012917:Social Adjustment