Patterns of depressive symptoms in three groups of depressed adults

This study examined patterns of depressive symptoms experienced by acutely depressed inpatients, previously hospitalized depressed outpatients, and depressed outpatients who had never been hospitalized for depression. The groups' symptom profiles were compared to determine whether the 21 major depressive symptoms measured by the Beck Depression Inventory were similar or different for the three groups. The groups differed significantly on five depressive symptoms that are classified as affective/cognitive symptoms (sadness, guilt, self-blame, indecisiveness, suicidal ideas) and one that is considered a somatic/vegetative symptom of depression (anorexia). Thus, commonly used diagnostic criteria may not reflect the full range or temporal patterning of symptoms experienced by depressed persons at varying levels of acuity or severity and in different treatment settings.