MOTOR-ACTIVITY AND DIURNAL-VARIATIONS OF SYMPTOMS IN DEPRESSED-PATIENTS

Intensity of symptoms including mood and psychomotor activity has been shown to vary according to the time of the day in a group of depresse d patients. This pattern represents one diagnostic criterion for the m elancholic type of depression. The variation of intensity is experienc ed by the patient and can be observed as a behavioral symptom. However , the relation of circadian alterations in psychomotor activity and de pressed mood remains unclear. Therefore, spontaneous motor activity an d experienced intensity of symptoms were measured in 21 depressed pati ents who showed daily variations of subjective symptoms. Patients felt significantly less active, awake, and more depressed in the morning c ompared to the evening. However, corresponding activity levels, which were measured by actigraphy, appeared significantly higher in the morn ing compared to the evening. Increased motor activity could represent the observable behavioral equivalent of self-experienced psychomotor r etardation and depressed mood.