Depressive Symptoms and Signs That Differentiate Major and Atypical Depression From Dysthymic Disorder in Elderly Finns

Symptoms & signs that in terms of severity differentiate major & atypical depression from dysthymic disorder were investigated in depressed Finns aged 60 years or over. The overall symptomatology of major depression was not found to be significantly more severe than that of dysthymic disorder, although some symptoms were more severe in major depressive patients than in dysthymic patients. The overall symptomatology of atypical depression, including suicidal ideas, was less severe than that of dysthymic disorder. (9 refs)