[The significance of standardized evaluation scales in psychiatric diagnosis as exemplified by the therapeutic intervention with desmethyl-loxapine (author's transl)].

Taking into account the particular problems of psychiatric classification the advantages and disadvantages of standardised rating scales are discussed. The authors come to the conclusion that these instruments at present are irreplaceable in psychopathological research because of their reliability in transmitting information and the possibility of quantifying psychopathological syndromes. The use of four rating scales which are little known yet within German speaking countries in demonstrated by means of a psychopharmacological investigation on the clinical effects of Desmethyl-Loxapine. These rating scales are: 1. the Hamilton-Psychiatric-Rating-Scale for Depression 2. the Wittenborn-Psychiatric-Rating-Scale 3. the Structured Clinical Interview (Burdock and Hardesty) and 4. the Befindlichkeits-Skala (Condition-Scale). Desmethyl-Loxapine was given in an open study as an antidepressant to 16 patients with different depressive syndromes. The results of treatment which lasted 3 to 4 weeks are discussed. The good therapeutic efficacy of Desmethyl-Loxapine was mainly due to its marked anxiolytic effect. All accomplished clinical examinations showed an excellent tolerance of this drug.