Journal of affective disorders
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Comparative Study
Defining the boundaries of atypical depression: evidence from the HPA axis supports course of illness distinctions.
Treatment outcome and brain laterality differ between early onset (<20 years) chronically (no well-being >2 months) depressed patients with atypical features (early/chronic atypical) and those with either later onset or less chronic illness (late/nonchronic atypical). Because hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis abnormalities have been hypothesized to distinguish atypical depression from melancholia, we examined whether HPA measures would also differentiate these two groups of depressed patients with atypical features. ⋯ These HPA data are consistent with earlier treatment and brain laterality findings that course of illness distinguishes biologically distinct groups within depressed patients with atypical features. The DSM should consider adding course of illness requirements to its criteria for atypical features.
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The purpose of this study was to search for correlations of scores on the visual analog scales (VAS) taken during the third week postpartum with scores on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) taken on approximately day 28 postpartum. ⋯ Mood in the third week postpartum was predictive of EPDS score on postpartum day 28. Mood lability during the third week postpartum was a better predictor of EPDS score on day 28 than the other five measures, including feelings of sadness or anxiety. The EPDS may have potential use with an acceptable degree of accuracy earlier than the standard 4 weeks postpartum.