Identification of endogenous depression: a comparison of three diagnostic approaches

A total of 37 depressed inpatients were divided according to the endogenous vs. non-endogenous dichotomy, using clinical methods (Research Diagnostic Criteria and Newcastle scale), test-psychological method (Rorschach test), and physiological method (dexamethasone suppression test). With the exception of the two clinical scales no significant diagnostic agreement was found between the methods used. The clinical concept of the endogeneity in the depressive illness resists confirmation by nonclinical methods.