DO PATIENTS WITH RECENT-ONSET DEPRESSION DIFFER CLINICALLY AND NEUROBIOLOGICALLY FROM DEPRESSED PATIENTS WITH A CLINICAL HIGH-RISK STATE FOR PSYCHOSIS?

Abstract

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most common mental disorders, with a lifetime prevalence of 14.6%. The impact of depression is considerable; poor social and economic functioning and significant life limitations [1]. Depression is also the most common co-morbidity seen with other mental disorders. The prevalence of depressive disorder in schizophrenia has been reported to be around 40% [2]. When examining very early phases of illness, in groups identified as at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis, high rates of ‘co-morbid’ axis one diagnoses are reported, with over 50% reaching criteria for a depressive disorder. Those people with schizophrenia send depression are significant..