Antidepressive treatment and mood swing patterns in endogenous depression.

In 105 patients with endogenous depression treated with antidepressants or ECT the course of the depressive state was evaluated by means of a self-rating mood scale (Befindlichkeits-Skala by von Zerssen). The scale was filled out every second day. The course of the depressive mood was computed by various algorithms for each patient. Two different courses of depressive mood could be identified: some patients showed a relatively continuous decline in the depressive mood, whereas others showed strong fluctuations. Although there were some correlations between type of treatment and extent of mood swings, other factors also seemed to be relevant. Thus, there appears to be an interaction between treatment effects and spontaneous rhythms.