The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has updated its Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, including with new information specifically addressed to individuals in the European Economic Area. As described in the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, this website utilizes cookies, including for the purpose of offering an optimal online experience and services tailored to your preferences.

Please read the entire Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. By closing this message, browsing this website, continuing the navigation, or otherwise continuing to use the APA's websites, you confirm that you understand and accept the terms of the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, including the utilization of cookies.

×
No Access

Depressive relapses and incomplete recovery from index episode

Published Online:https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.143.7.888

Of 101 patients suffering from primary unipolar depression who were followed up for at least 1 year after recovery from the index episode, 51 relapsed into a new depressive episode within the year of recovery. Only those variables related to the period immediately after discharge distinguished nonrelapsers from relapsers; relapsers showed higher levels of residual symptoms, inferior social adaptation, a more pathological mean personality profile, and lower tricyclic plasma levels, despite similar dosage. The data are consistent with the hypothesis of an incomplete recovery from the index episode as a risk factor for relapse within 1 year.

Access content

To read the fulltext, please use one of the options below to sign in or purchase access.