The Role of Psychosocial and Biological Variables in Separating Chronic and Non-Chronic Major Depression and Early-Late-Onset Dysthymia

Psychosocial & biological variables were examined in 180 patients to see if there are differences between the chronic & non-chronic course of major depression & the early- & late-onset types of dysthymia. One finding of the study was that significantly more patients in the chronic course depression & early-onset dysthymia groups had attempted suicide. Results suggest that many factors influence the course of major depression & that the early-late onset distinction of dysthymia is valid.