New Depression Classification
A new classification of depressive subtypes of depression has been proposed in the current issue of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics. In keeping current on the new DSM being revised, as I have been writing about in previous posts, certain authors are recommending a revamping of depression subtypes to effect treatment.
Lichtenberg and Belmaker argue that a simple diagnosis is no longer sufficient to guide treatment. They propose the following subtypes:
Type A: Depression with Anxiety
Type B: Acute Depression.jpg)
Type C: Adult Depression after Childhood Trauma
Type D: Depressive Reaction to Separation Stress
Type E: Postpartum Depression
Type F: Late-Life Depression
Type G: Psychotic Depression
Type H: Atypical Depression
Type I: Bipolar Depression
Type J: Depression Secondary to Substance Abuse or to a Medical Condition.
One of the major challenges in treatment of depression seems to be the heterogeneity of the disorder. It is not uncommon to see significant differences in symptomatic presentation of depress patients. Besides there are differences in age of onset, severity of course, treatment response and comorbid conditions. One assumption is that the heterogeneity is simply because there are different subtypes of depression,
says Tanvir Singh, MD and Alina Rais, MD, Dept. Psychiatry, University of Toledo Medical Center in their article entitled Subtypes of Depression.
I will anxiously await more information on the revised DSM. For more information visit www.depression.com.
