[Masked depression and paucisymptomatic depression (author's transl)].

All depressive syndromes include physical as well as psychological features. Physical symptoms in major "endogenous" depression are well known. In other forms, called masked depressions, various physical disorders are the patients main complaint and may be misleading. Localized pain and paresthesia are common. Behaviour disorders may mask depression in adolescents. Mood disturbances (loss of interest, anhedonia) as well as the personal and family histories, should be precisely assessed in order to establish diagnosis. Masked depression is not a minor form of depressive syndrome and antidepressant drugs should be used in correct doses over a sufficient period of time.