Major depression with melancholia: a comparison of middle-aged and elderly adults

Patients admitted to an inpatient psychiatric service were screened to identify middle-aged (35 to 50 years of age) and elderly (60 years of age and over) patients suffering from a major depressive episode with melancholia. Thirty-seven subjects (18 middle-aged and 19 elderly) were identified. Criteria symptoms for depression and symptoms specifically associated with melancholic or endogenous depression did not differ across age groups, with few exceptions. Major depression with melancholia in this hospitalized population was symptomatically similar in the middle-aged and elderly. The syndrome is therefore relatively common on this inpatient service and should be easily recognized.