Posted by Elizabeth on October 26, 2001, at 17:01:08
In reply to Types of depression, posted by Cass on October 23, 2001, at 21:34:07
> Can someone tell me the difference between Clinical depression and Chronic, recurring depression. Which is more severe? Is one a chemical imbalance?
"Clinical" depression just means that the depression is serious enough to be considered an illness requiring treatment. Serious clinical depression can be chronic or can come in recurring episodes, or it may be chronic with recurring "flare-ups."
"Chemical imbalance" is a vague expression. I don't think it actually means anything.
Also, the distinction between "endogenous" and ("exogenous" or "situational") depression has recently been recognized as misleading, since both environmental/situational and temperamental/internal factors are thought to contribute to most depression.
If you're reading a scientific article about depression and you come across the term "endogenous depression," it's most likely referring to what DSM-IV calls major depression with "melancholic features." The diagnostic criteria can be found on various web sites (a simple search should turn up a number of pages where you can find information on this condition).
Another subtype of depression which is relevant to treatment selection is called "atypical depression." Again, information about this subtype can be found in many places on the web.
-elizabeth
poster:Elizabeth
thread:12901
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20011025/msgs/13014.html