Skip to main content
Log in

Varieties of depression in one patient

  • Published:
Psychiatric Quarterly Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In the course of 25 years one woman presented different types of depression (reactive depression, periodic depression, and agitated depression during menopause). She was treated at various times with E.C.T., psychoanalysis, psychotherapy, drugs, and a combination of the latter two. She responded favorably to each modality of treatment.

A brief résumé of the theory of the causes of depression and of its medical treatment is presented, followed by a detailed case report. The thesis is presented that all depressions are overdetermined psychosomatic diseases with both psychic and organic causes; and that different varieties of depression necessitating different therapeutic approaches may occur in a single patient under different conditions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Liberman, G. (moderator): Symposium—Newer concepts in office management of anxiety and depression. N. Y. St. J. Med., 71: 325, 1971.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Krakowski, A. J.: The many faces of depression. N. Y. St. J. Med., 71: 325–330, 1971.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Schneidman, E. S., and Ortega, M. J. (editors): Aspects of Depression. Little, Brown, Boston. 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Blinder, M. G.: Classification and treatment of depression. In: Aspects of Depression.(Ref. 3.).

    Google Scholar 

  5. Brodie, H. K. H., and Leff, M. J.: Bipolar depression—A comparative study of patient characteristics. Am. J. Psychiat., 127: 1086–1090. 1971.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Freud, S.: Mourning and Melancholia. Standard Edition. The Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud, Vol. 14. Hogarth. London. 1957.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Bibring, E.: The mechanism of depression. In: Affective Disorders. P. Greenacre, editor. International Universities Press. New York. 1953.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Smith, J. H.: Identificatory styles in depression and grief. Int. J. Psycho-an., 52: 259–266, 1971.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Deutsch, H.: Absence of grief. Psychoanal. Quart., 6: 12–22, 1937.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Engel, G.: Is Grief a Disease? Psychosomatic Med., 23: 18–22, 1961.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Freud, S.: An Outline of Psychoanalysis, Standard Edition. The Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud. Vol. 23. Hogarth. London. 1964.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Ostow, M.: The psychic function of depression: A study in energetics. Psychoanal. Quart., 29: 355–394, 1960.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Lorenz, K.: On Aggression. Harcourt, Brace and World. New York. 1966.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Abraham, K.: Selected Papers of Karl Abraham, M.D., p. 418. Hogarth. London. 1927.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, ed. 2. American Psychiatric Assoc. Washington, D. C. 1968.

  16. Lehrman, S. R. On the linkage between neurosis and schizophrenia. J. Hillside Hosp., 17: 200–208, 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Kendell, R. E.: The continuum model of depressive illness. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Medicine, 62: 335–339, 1962.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

A long-time member of the Quarterly's Editorial Board, Dr. Lehrman is Director Emeritus of Psychiatry, Long Island Jewish-Hillside Medical Center and Director of Psychiatry at the Center's South Shore Division.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lehrman, S.R. Varieties of depression in one patient. Psych Quar 48, 283–294 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01584691

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01584691

Keywords

Navigation