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Specificity of Depressive Diseases

Specificity of Depressive Diseases The syndrome of depression has been recognized for centuries. However, only recently has there been a coalescence of nosological refinement and biotechnical advances sufficient to generate promising leads toward identifying the sub­ strates of the depressive disorders. Because depressive states are characterized by prominent dysphoria, often with accompanying feelings of guilt, anxiety, or hopelessness, depression (along with mania) is commonly categorized as an affective disorder. However, de­ pression may also include cognitive, motivational, and neurovegetative changes (1). Cognitive changes include memory and concentration difficulties and, in some patients, psychotic ideation. Motivational disturbances are described by terms such as lassitude or anergy. Neurovegetative changes include alterations in sleep patterns, appetite, and sexual activities as well as psychomotor signs such as agitation or retardation. These changes may lead to social withdrawal, despair, and preoccupation with suicide. It is generally thought that depression is a psychobiological disorder, i.e. both psychological and biological factors underlie the pathogenesis of most depres­ sive states, and many of the formulations of the genesis of this disorder have been focused upon psychological dimensions (2-7). In recent years increasing attention has been paid to genetic (8) and nosological questions as well as to investigations of the metabolism http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Annual Review of Medicine Annual Reviews

Specificity of Depressive Diseases

Sweeney, D R; Maas, J W
Annual Review of Medicine , Volume 29 (1) – Feb 1, 1978
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Publisher
Annual Reviews
Copyright
Copyright 1978 Annual Reviews. All rights reserved
Subject
Review Articles
ISSN
0066-4219
eISSN
1545-326X
DOI
10.1146/annurev.me.29.020178.001251
pmid
25605
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

The syndrome of depression has been recognized for centuries. However, only recently has there been a coalescence of nosological refinement and biotechnical advances sufficient to generate promising leads toward identifying the sub­ strates of the depressive disorders. Because depressive states are characterized by prominent dysphoria, often with accompanying feelings of guilt, anxiety, or hopelessness, depression (along with mania) is commonly categorized as an affective disorder. However, de­ pression may also include cognitive, motivational, and neurovegetative changes (1). Cognitive changes include memory and concentration difficulties and, in some patients, psychotic ideation. Motivational disturbances are described by terms such as lassitude or anergy. Neurovegetative changes include alterations in sleep patterns, appetite, and sexual activities as well as psychomotor signs such as agitation or retardation. These changes may lead to social withdrawal, despair, and preoccupation with suicide. It is generally thought that depression is a psychobiological disorder, i.e. both psychological and biological factors underlie the pathogenesis of most depres­ sive states, and many of the formulations of the genesis of this disorder have been focused upon psychological dimensions (2-7). In recent years increasing attention has been paid to genetic (8) and nosological questions as well as to investigations of the metabolism

Journal

Annual Review of Medicine – Annual Reviews

Published: Feb 1, 1978

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