American and European classifications of affective disorders.

This paper reports applications of American classifications of affective disorders, particularly the Research Diagnostic Criteria, and relationships with some European classifications. The value of defined criteria for classifications is emphasised. The Research Diagnostic Criteria have been found useful to define inclusion thresholds, to examine diagnostic characteristics of patients with depression and other disorders in general practice and to compare general practice and outpatient depressives. Relationships are reported with PSE/CATEGO subtypes of depression and with empirical indices of endogenous depression.