Major depression versus dysthymia: Comorbid psychiatric disorders, psychotropic medication patterns, and psychotherapy sessions

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine, among those with major depression versus dysthymia, relationships with comorbid psychopathol-ogy, patterns of psychotropic medication prescription, and number of psychotherapy sessions utilized. Using a retrospective approach, a single investigator reviewed the medical records of individuals diagnosed with major depression or dysthymia (those with both disorders were excluded from analysis) in an adult, university-based, outpatient psychiatry clinic. Records were examined for demographic information, Axis I and II diagnoses, number and type of psychotropic medications, and number of psychotherapy sessions. There were no demographic differences between groups. Compared to those with major depression, individuals with dysthymia had a similar number of Axis I diagnoses, but were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with a personality disorder. Those with major depression were prescribed a significantly greater number of psychotropic medications, and all seven patients who received antipsychotics were diagnosed with major depression. Finally, there were no between-group differences in the number of psychotherapy sessions. These data indicate that, compared with major depression, dysthymia may have significantly greater Axis II, but not Axis I, psychiatric comorbidity. The implications of greater psychotropic medication prescription among the subsample with major depression, and similar psychotherapy utilization between groups, is discussed. Qnt] Psych Clin Pract 2004; 8: 61-63).

Prescribing patterns of psychotropic medications and clinical features in patients with major depressive disorder with and without comorbid dysthymia in China

“…Dysthymia often coexists with medical conditions (Sansone, Gaither, & Rytwinski, ). In this study, compared to MDD without dysthymia, MDD patients with dysthymia was had more frequent atypical depressive features (increased appetite, sleep, and weight gain) that could contribute to increased risk of metabolic syndrome (Murray, Weiner, Prabhakar, & Fiedorowicz, ).…”

Characteristics of Depressive Symptoms in Contemporary Japanese Youth: A Comparison with 15 Years Ago

“…Many researchers have reported the spectrum theory of depressive disorders [8][9][10][11]. Sansone et al [12] reported that university students with dysthymia were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with a personality disorder than those with major depression were. In contrast, another study found essentially temperamental differences between adolescents with major depression and those with dysthymia [13,14].…”

“…In Japan, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare advocates training of the "gatekeeper" as a comprehensive measure to prevent suicide. Several articles have reported the effectiveness of suicide prevention gatekeepertraining for university staff [3,12]. If such measures are more widely implemented, it may lead to the prevention of more suicides.…”