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‘Subthreshold’ mental disorders

A review and synthesis of studies on minor depression and other ‘brand names’

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Harold Alan Pincus ,
Wendy Wakefield Davis  and
Laurie E. McQueen
Harold Alan Pincus*
Affiliation:
Office of Research, American Psychiatric Association, 1400 K Street NW Washington, DC 20005. USA
Wendy Wakefield Davis
Affiliation:
Office of Research, American Psychiatric Association, 1400 K Street NW Washington, DC 20005. USA
Laurie E. McQueen
Affiliation:
Office of Research, American Psychiatric Association, 1400 K Street NW Washington, DC 20005. USA
*
Dr Harold Pincus, Deputy Medical Director, American Psychiatric Association, 1400 K Street NW. Washington. DC 20005, USA
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Abstract

Background

Subthreshold conditions (i. e. not meeting full diagnostic criteria for mental disorders in DSM–IV or ICD–10) are prevalent and associated with significant costs and disability. Observed more in primary care and community populations than in speciality settings, varying conceptualisations have been applied to define these conditions.

Aims

To examine definitional issues for subthreshold forms of depression (e. g. minor depression) and to suggest future directions for research and nosology in psychiatry and primary care.

Method

A Medline search was conducted. The relevant articles were reviewed with regard to specific categories of information.

Results

Studies applied a myriad of names and definitions for subthreshold depression with varying duration, symptom thresholds and exclusions. Prevalence rates also vary depending upon the definitions, settings and populations researched.

Conclusions

Future research needs to apply methodological and intellectual rigour and systematically consider a broader clinical and nosological context. In addition, collaboration between psychiatry and primary care on research and clinical issues is needed.

Type
Review Articles
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 174 , Issue 4 , April 1999 , pp. 288 - 296
Copyright
Copyright © 1999 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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Footnotes

Declaration of interest

Authors were employees of the American Psychiatric Association and no other funds were obtained.

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