Citation

Koukopoulos A, Albert MJ, Sani G, Koukopoulos AE, Girardi P. Int. Rev. Psychiatry 2005; 17(1): 21-37.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/09540260500064744

PMID

16194768

Abstract

This paper focuses on the clinical importance of affective mixed states with special attention given to agitated depression, which has lost its status as a mixed state in the DSM and ICD systems. Following a historical review of the topic, the psychopathological elements are examined. Psychic and motor agitation are considered equally important for the definition of agitated depression and the concept of latent agitated depression is introduced for those major depressive episodes that become agitated following antidepressant treatment. The thesis is advanced that the erroneous nosologic position of agitated depression and its treatment as simple, unipolar depression is at least partly responsible for the problematic issues of the unfavourable treatment outcome and high suicide rates among depressive patients.

Language: en

Keywords

Anxiety Disorders; Depressive Disorder; Humans; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Psychomotor Agitation