The authors compared 31 outpatients with double depression to 50
outpatients with episodic major depression. Patients with double depression
exhibited significantly greater impairment, more severe depressive
symptoms, greater comorbidity, more personality disturbance, lower levels
of social support, more chronic strains, and higher rates of bipolar II and
nonbipolar affective disorders in first-degree relatives. In addition, in a
6-month follow-up, the patients with double depression were significantly
less likely to recover, and a higher proportion experienced hypomanic
episodes than did patients with episodic major depression. These data
provide strong support for the clinical significance of double
depression.Abstract Teaser