Conceptualization and identification of depression in adults with brain damage by clients and rehabilitation clinical staff.
OBJECTIVE
To explore reasons used by staff and clients to identify depression and examine how each group differs.


METHODS
A between group comparison on both quantitative and qualitative data.


METHODS
Thirty-seven individuals with brain injury and 18 non-psychologist rehabilitation professionals participated in this study. The Inventory for Depressive Symptomatology (IDS), a 28-item instrument of client self-report and clinician ratings was used for comparison. Additionally, qualitative data on presence and reason for identification of depression were collected from both parties.


RESULTS
There is substantial disagreement between clinicians and clients with regard to overall identification of depression. However, both groups based diagnoses on mood/cognitive symptoms rather than anxiety or vegetative symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
The results point to a discrepancy in client and clinician identification and understanding of depression after brain injury, indicating a potential need for education for both groups.
Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL 60616, USA.
Claire Z
CZ
Kalpakjian
Chow S
CS
Lam
Brian J
BJ
Leahy
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000523:psychology