Course of depressive mood and psychomotor activation in endogenous depression.

The course of the depressive mood during depressive phases was measured by a self-rating mood scale and analyzed by various algorithms. Agitated, depressed patients often reveal a continuous decline in the depressive mood; retarded, depressed patients, on the other hand, often show brief and marked fluctuations in mood during remission. Although various effects occur due to treatment, especially differences between the effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and antidepressants, the described changes in mood appear to be predominantly due to psychomotor activation. The relationship between these courses of depression is discussed and interpreted on the basis of biochemical and psychopharmacologic findings.