PRODROMAL SYMPTOMS OF RECURRENT MAJOR DEPRESSIVE EPISODES - A QUALITATIVE-ANALYSIS

In four focus groups, 16 people with major depressive or bipolar disor der were asked to describe the onset of an acute depressive episode. F indings indicate that those entering a major depressive episode often have difficulty identifying prodromal symptoms, although they experien ce early warning phases. These phases and described, and implications for clinical intervention are outlined.