PSYCHOTIC SYMPTOMS AND VULNERABILITY TO RECURRENT MAJOR DEPRESSION

The demographic characteristics and psychiatric course of primary unip olar depressed patients, either with or without psychotic features, we re compared in a retrospective study. 15% (25/165) of the patients had had at least one episode of psychotic depression. Compared with the 1 40 non-psychotic patients, the psychotic patients were more likely to be female, had been ill for significantly longer and endured significa ntly more episodes of depression. The greater number of episodes was n ot attributable to the greater length of illness. Various reasons for the group differences are examined. Particular consideration is given to the possibility that a propensity for recurrent psychotic major dep ression might be related to sensitized dopamine neurons.