The Prodromal Phase of the Depressive Psychosis

Abstract

The problem of the atypical prodromal phase preceding the onset of a cyclothymic depression is considered. In a series of 43 patients under the age of 50 suffering from cyclothymic depression, 13 (30. 2%) showed a protracted onset. These patients suffered significantly fewer attacks than did cases where an acute onset was present. Typical diurnal variation of mood was significantly less common in the prodromal cases. In other respects, e. g., age and sex distribution, frequency of abnormal premorbid personality traits and a family history of affective illness, prodromal and acute onset groups were identical. These findings are briefly discussed and the opinion reached that cases showing a prodromal phase are attenuated cases of affective illness.