Symptomatology of depressive disorders in Bangladesh

Presenting symptomatology of 191 cases with depressive disorders has been presented and discussed. The selective nature of the sample has been pointed out. Predominant symptoms were both psychological and physical. Sleep disturbance, burning pain, anorexia and other gastro-intestinal symptoms occurred frequently. Palpitation and diminished libido were also common. Guilt feelings and ideas of worthlessness were frequent but retardation was not common. Suicidal feelings were expressed by large number of patients but actual suicidal attempts were low. Anxious personality was more prone to develop reactive depression. Physical symptoms were generally more complained by females but diminished libido was more often complained by males. Both physical and psychological symptons were present in the endogenous and the reactive groups. Overlaping nature of the symptoms has also point out.