Prediction of outcome in depression by negative symptoms

Negative symptoms have been assessed in 34 cases of major endogenous depression (RDC) using the Scale for Assessment of Negative Symptoms. Correlation coefficients between negative symptoms and improvement rated on a 5-point scale were determined. Poverty of speech, affective flattening and avolition-apathy were found to be related with poor outcome. There was also a negative relationship between improvement and certain frequently occurring negative symptoms: inability to feel emotions, feelings of emptiness in thinking and feeling of avolition. High total negative symptom scores predicted poor outcome.