[Analysis of the structure of the depressive triad as a diagnostic and prognostic indicator]

In order to ascertain the diagnostic and prognostic importance of the structure of the depressive triad, the authors conducted a clinical psychopathologic study of 173 patients (88 males and 85 females) with depressions (manic-depressive psychosis, schizophrenia, residual-organic and vascular cerebral impairments, psychogenic depression). An analysis of the structure of the depressive triad was made based on the concept of heterogeneity of the depressive affect, with such acknowledged major components as melancholy, anxiety, and apathy. Depending on the nature of the leading elementary affect, three types of the depressive triad were identified, namely, melancholy, anxiety and apathy depressive triads. According to the criterion of qualitative and quantitative correlation between the triad components (ideational and motor) and the leading affect, harmonic, disharmonic and dissociated variants were identified within every type. The regular features of the time-course of the triad were established: from the initial stages to the over picture and then to the reduction of depression. These regularities were characterized by definite nosological preference, and may be helpful in the differential diagnosis and also be used as predictors of a protracted course of depression.