Double depression in an Australian population.
BACKGROUND
Double depression, or dysthymia with superimposed major depression, is a major public health issue that imposes considerable burden on the community. Double depression and its associated morbidity have not previously been delineated in an Australian population.


METHODS
A random and representative sample of the South Australian population was assessed by trained interviewers. The mood module of the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders (PRIME-MD), the Short-Form Health Status Questionnaire (SF-36), and Assessment of Quality of Life (AQoL) instruments were administered, and data related to treatment use and role functioning were collated.


RESULTS
Double depression was present in 2.2% of the population. This group reported high levels of treatment-seeking behaviour with 90% seeking treatment in the last month and 42.4 % taking antidepressants. They also had a highly significantly poorer quality of life than did others in the community.


CONCLUSIONS
The 2.2% of the population with double depression reported high use of services with poor functioning and health-related quality of life. More effective intervention strategies are required.
Goldney
Robert D
RD
Dept. of Psychiatry, University of Adelaide, The Adelaide Clinic, 33 Park Terrace, Gilberton, South Australia 5081. robert.goldney@adelaide.edu.au
Fisher
Laura J
LJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires