Dysphoria: a Major Symptom Factor in Persons With Disability or Chronic Illness

This article notes that the overlap of symptoms of many chronic illnesses & disabling conditions with depression may lead to an overestimation of depression in such populations. This study investigated depressive symptom criteria constellations in spinal cord injury, rheumatoid arthritis, student & community groups (total n=502). A 4-factor solution emerged. The 1st factor labelled “dysphoria” was represented by negative self-evaluation, depressed affect, & suicidal ideation. (38 Refs.)