Examined 41 men & 14 women (45-60yrs) with cyclical depression & compared the disease manifestation with that of 28 younger patients. An experimental psychological study of Ss’ emotional & volatile states was also conducted. Questions asked include; perceptions of illness, personality traits, emotional states, word association tests. The clinical picture of cyclical depression in younger Ss did not differ from the classic signs of vital/endogenous depression. Older Ss were polymorphous. (5 ref.)