DEPRESSION FOLLOWING SPINAL-CORD INJURY

Although depression has been widely studied among persons with spinal cord injury, the ubiquitous and unsophisticated use of the term and pr esumtions about its manifestations in the rehabilitation setting have needlessly encumbered the understanding and treatment of depression. M ajor themes and issues in the study, measurement, and treatment of dep ression among persons with spinal cord injury are reviewed. Greater pr ecision is recommended in distinguishing diagnosable depression from d isplays of negative affect, anxiety, distress, and dysphoria. Correlat es of depressive behavior among persons with SCI are surveyed, and gui delines for research and practice in the SCI setting are explicated. ( C) 1996 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the Am erican Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.