The patient experience of depression and remission: focus group results.
Few depression measures were developed with the patient perspective. To obtain patient views on depression and early symptom resolution, 4 focus groups (N=31) were conducted. Patients also completed the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomology (Self-Report), SF-36, and a rating of the bothersomeness and significance of 12 symptoms of depression. Transcripts were reviewed for major themes. Irritability was a key symptom and it remitted earlier than others. Important to participants were low mood, low energy, lack of motivation, lack of focus/concentration, feelings of guilt, self-critical thoughts, feeling overwhelmed, lack of enjoyment, hypersomnia, restlessness, anger, and irritability. Gender differences emerged; most men reported irritability as one of the first symptoms to remit; for women, motivation level and energy commonly remitted first. Results suggest that new measures of treatment outcome should encompass irritability, anger, and ability to cope with life stressors.
Frank
Lori
L
Center for Health Outcomes Research, United Biosource Corporation, Bethesda, Maryland, USA. lori.frank@united biosource.com
Matza
Louis S
LS
Hanlon
Jennifer
J
Mannix
Sally
S
Revicki
Dennis A
DA
Feltner
Douglas
D
Morlock
Robert J
RJ
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000523:psychology; D000786:Anger; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups / Q000379:methods*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007508:Irritable Mood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012737:Sex Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome