Symptom criteria and family history in major depression

Article Abstract:

There has been much criticism of the current criteria for major depression listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. It has been argued that the broad range of symptoms included for major depression has resulted in incorrect diagnosis of individuals with neurotic disorders and those who are experiencing symptoms as a result of situational conditions. Modifications of the current criteria have been explored but thus far, no definitive system has been developed. To further investigate factors which may be relevant in determining an appropriate set of criteria for major depression, 82 patients diagnosed with major depression and 27 patients with nonaffective (nondepressive) disorders, primary anxiety and personality disorders, were examined. Family members of the patients were also evaluated. The results revealed that if the family members had a relative who met six or more conditions for major depression as set forth in the DSM, they were subject to higher rates of mood disorders. Previous studies have discussed the relationship between severity of symptoms of individuals with major depression and the incidence of mood disorders in other family members. This study provides preliminary evidence for defining a more homologous type within a family through the use of a stricter symptom criteria for major depression. Although confirmation of these results requires a larger sampling, the data imply that there may be a type of natural boundary involving the number of symptoms present, which may help to more clearly define major depression. The author feels that these findings are potentially important in better defining this condition, but replication of the data is needed; limitations of methodology used in this research are also discussed. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Risk factors, Identification and classification, Affective disorders, Mood disorders

---

Personality disorder in the families of depressed, schizophrenic, and never-ill probands

Article Abstract:

The authors studied 176 patients with nonpsychotic major depression, psychotic major depression, schizophrenia, or no history of mental disorders. Relatives of patients suffering from depression with mood-incongruent psychotic features were the only family group that had a higher risk for personality disorders than the relatives of subjects with no history of mental illness. Relatives of depressed patients or of schizophrenic patients did not have a high rate of borderline personalities. However, the relatives of depressed patients who had normal diagnostic test results (dexamethasone test) were more likely to have a particular class (DSM-III) of personality disorders. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Research, Personality disorders, Schizophrenia

---

HPA axis hyperactivity and recovery from functional psychoses

Article Abstract:

Patients with functional psychoses either follow a chronic, deteriorating course or recover; at present clinicians have few factors to predict which course a psychotic patient might follow. The authors administered the dexamethasone suppression test, a test used to diagnose depression, to 98 nonmanic psychotic patients. Diagnosis did not correspond well to test results, but was itself an important predictor. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Abnormalities, Diagnosis, Pituitary gland

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Left frontal hypoactivation in depression. Ethnicity and gender in scales of psychosis proneness and mood disorders
• Abstracts: Comparisons of body image dimensions by race/ethnicity and gender in a university population. Media influence and body image in 8-11-year old boys and girls: A preliminary report on the multidimensional media influence scale
• Abstracts: Serum lipids and their relationships with hostility and angry affect and behaviors in men. Sex differences in the relation of depressive symptoms, hostility, and anger expression to indices of glucose metabolism in nondiabetic adults
• Abstracts: The identification of pervasive hyperactivity: is clinic observation necessary? Sensitivity to reward delay in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Abstracts: Anorexia nervosa, major depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder in a Down's syndrome patient

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.