Depression in Benin: an Assessment Using the Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale and the Principal Component Analysis

92 major depressed outpatients were rated with the Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale in Benin (West Africa). Patients met modified DSM-III major depression criteria. Compared to “western-like” clinical features of depression, there was a lower frequency of suicidal thoughts & guilt feelings, a higher frequency of somatic complaints & ideas of persecution. The relationship between the so-called “western culture-bound symptoms” & the so-called “African ones” is discussed. (26 refs.)