[Diagnostic and therapeutic considerations on agitated depression understood as a mixed affective state]

Since they were first described, mixed affective states have created problems of differential diagnosis. In clinical practice various cases previously diagnosed as other conditions but identifiable as mixed states within a bipolar disorder have been encountered. In particular there are cases of agitated depression that can pose a serious clinical problem since the agitation may be exacerbated by the use of antidepressant drugs. In contrast it has been found useful to treat the maniacal component of these states, an approach that has obtained remissions and overall improvements in the clinical picture.