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Subsyndromal symptomatic depression: a new mood disorder?
L L Judd1, M H Rapaport, M P Paulus
1San Diego Psychopharmacology Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of California, La Jolla 92093-0603.
The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry
|April 1, 1994
Summary
Subsyndromal symptomatic depression (SSD) affects 8.4% of the population, featuring depressive symptoms without meeting full diagnostic criteria. This unrecognized condition causes significant social dysfunction and disability, warranting further study.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Depressive symptoms are common in the general population.
- Existing diagnostic criteria may not capture all individuals experiencing depressive symptoms and associated dysfunction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and define a clinical condition termed subsyndromal symptomatic depression (SSD).
- To determine the prevalence and characteristics of SSD in the general population.
- To assess the public health significance of SSD.
Main Methods:
- Secondary analysis of data from the National Institute of Mental Health Epidemiologic Catchment Area Program (N = 9160).
- Defined SSD as two or more simultaneous depressive symptoms, lasting at least 2 weeks, with social dysfunction, but not meeting criteria for minor, major, or dysthymic depression.
Main Results:
- One-year prevalence of two or more depressive symptoms was 11.8%, exceeding that of all DSM-III mood disorders combined.
- Subsyndromal symptomatic depression (SSD) had a 1-year prevalence of 8.4%, with women comprising 63.4%.
- Common SSD symptoms included insomnia, fatigue, thoughts of death, and concentration difficulties.
- SSD was associated with increased disability and welfare benefit usage compared to individuals with no depressive symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Subsyndromal symptomatic depression (SSD) represents a significant, unrecognized clinical population.
- SSD is associated with considerable social dysfunction and disability.
- Further research is needed to characterize SSD and address its public health importance.