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Delusional Depressive In-Patients, 1892 to 1982

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

John M. Eagles
John M. Eagles*
Affiliation:
University Medical Buildings, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB9 2ZD; Royal Edinburgh Hospital
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Summary

Three groups of 114 depressed patients admitted to hospital in Edinburgh, one in the year 1892, one in 1942–3 and one in 1981–2, were studied. The occurrence and content of depressive delusions were recorded. A significantly higher proportion of depressives had delusions in 1892 than in 1942–3, but there was no significant decline between 1942–3 and 1981–2. It is concluded that this decline in the proportion of depressives having delusions since 1892 probably does not reflect a genuine decline in the prevalence of depressive illness with delusions. The content of delusions differs between the years and between the sexes, and these differences are discussed.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 143 , Issue 6 , December 1983 , pp. 558 - 563
Copyright
Copyright © 1983 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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