Depression: Predisposing factors

Factors predisposing to a depressive state had been investigated in a prospective study on a stratified population, accounted for in the preceding article (Nyström & Lindegård (1975a) ). Of the 114 persons seeking psychiatric care during the period of observation, 37 had a depression as the main diagnosis. As compared to their 370 matched controls, these patients showed a significant overrepresentation of psychasthenic traits (subvalidity according to Sjöbring), a tendency to ruminate, shyness in company and lack of endurance, certain asthenic subclinical symptoms such as habitual fatigue and irritability, certain depressive subclinical phenomena, various expressions of anxiousness, all kinds of insomnia, and certain forms of medical care and examinations. The findings can be used for mental hygienic purposes. It can be recommended that the environmental pressure within occupational as well as within private life, should be kept as low as possible, expecially for persons with characteristics shown to indicate mental vulnerability.