Relation of age at onset to duration of episode in unipolar depression.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the duration of episodes of unipolar depression increases with age at onset. On the basis of elevated scores on a self-report depression measure, 2,020 persons were selected from a larger community sample to be interviewed and diagnosed using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-Research Diagnostic Criteria procedures. Of the 2,020 persons, 865 had a history of one or more episodes of unipolar depression. The potential effects of the following variables (singly and in interaction) on duration of episode were assessed by means of multiway frequency table analysis and chi-square: age at onset, sex of subject, interval since occurrence of the episode, and type of disorder (major vs. minor depressive disorder). The hypothesis that duration of episodes of depression increases with age at onset was not supported. Women were more likely to have multiple episodes, but did not have longer lasting episodes.

Treatment of geriatric depression

“…Women with a previous history of depression are more likely than men with such histories to have recurrent episodes, but duration of depressive episodes does not appear to vary according to age at onset (Lewinsohn et al, 1986). Women with a previous history of depression are more likely than men with such histories to have recurrent episodes, but duration of depressive episodes does not appear to vary according to age at onset (Lewinsohn et al, 1986).…”

Treatment of geriatric depression

“…Women with a previous history of depression are more likely than men with such histories to have recurrent episodes, but duration of depressive episodes does not appear to vary according to age at onset (Lewinsohn et al, 1986). Women with a previous history of depression are more likely than men with such histories to have recurrent episodes, but duration of depressive episodes does not appear to vary according to age at onset (Lewinsohn et al, 1986).…”

Age-cohort changes in the lifetime occurrence of depression and other mental disorders.

“…Because of logistical constraints, 484 subjects were diagnostically interviewed between 1980 and 1982. Three hundred sixty-two individuals were selected on the basis of elevated scores (> 15) on one or more of the three CES-D administrations; 122 subjects with low CES-D scores were also interviewed (see Lewinsohn, Fenn, Stanton, & Franklin, 1986, for additional information).…”

Probability of relapse after recovery from an episode of depression.

“…An episode was considered to have ended (i.e., the subject was assumed to be recovered) when these symptoms had remitted. A more detailed description of the characteristics of the duration values is given in Lewinsohn, Fenn, Stanton & Franklin's (1986) study. Results of studies by Weissman and Myers (1978), Mazure and Gershon (1979) and Spitzer et al (1978) indicate that the SADS-RDC procedure may be considered a reliable and valid method for making retrospective diagnoses of psychiatric disorders for both psychiatric patients and non-patient samples.…”

Treatment of geriatric depression

“…Women with a previous history of depression are more likely than men with such histories to have recurrent episodes, but duration of depressive episodes does not appear to vary according to age at onset (Lewinsohn et al, 1986). Women with a previous history of depression are more likely than men with such histories to have recurrent episodes, but duration of depressive episodes does not appear to vary according to age at onset (Lewinsohn et al, 1986).…”

Age-cohort changes in the lifetime occurrence of depression and other mental disorders.

“…Because of logistical constraints, 484 subjects were diagnostically interviewed between 1980 and 1982. Three hundred sixty-two individuals were selected on the basis of elevated scores (> 15) on one or more of the three CES-D administrations; 122 subjects with low CES-D scores were also interviewed (see Lewinsohn, Fenn, Stanton, & Franklin, 1986, for additional information).…”

Probability of relapse after recovery from an episode of depression.

“…An episode was considered to have ended (i.e., the subject was assumed to be recovered) when these symptoms had remitted. A more detailed description of the characteristics of the duration values is given in Lewinsohn, Fenn, Stanton & Franklin's (1986) study. Results of studies by Weissman and Myers (1978), Mazure and Gershon (1979) and Spitzer et al (1978) indicate that the SADS-RDC procedure may be considered a reliable and valid method for making retrospective diagnoses of psychiatric disorders for both psychiatric patients and non-patient samples.…”

Treatment of geriatric depression

“…Women with a previous history of depression are more likely than men with such histories to have recurrent episodes, but duration of depressive episodes does not appear to vary according to age at onset (Lewinsohn et al, 1986). Women with a previous history of depression are more likely than men with such histories to have recurrent episodes, but duration of depressive episodes does not appear to vary according to age at onset (Lewinsohn et al, 1986).…”

Age-cohort changes in the lifetime occurrence of depression and other mental disorders.

“…Because of logistical constraints, 484 subjects were diagnostically interviewed between 1980 and 1982. Three hundred sixty-two individuals were selected on the basis of elevated scores (> 15) on one or more of the three CES-D administrations; 122 subjects with low CES-D scores were also interviewed (see Lewinsohn, Fenn, Stanton, & Franklin, 1986, for additional information).…”

Probability of relapse after recovery from an episode of depression.

“…An episode was considered to have ended (i.e., the subject was assumed to be recovered) when these symptoms had remitted. A more detailed description of the characteristics of the duration values is given in Lewinsohn, Fenn, Stanton & Franklin's (1986) study. Results of studies by Weissman and Myers (1978), Mazure and Gershon (1979) and Spitzer et al (1978) indicate that the SADS-RDC procedure may be considered a reliable and valid method for making retrospective diagnoses of psychiatric disorders for both psychiatric patients and non-patient samples.…”