Symptom differences between older depressed primary care patients with and without history of trauma. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • OBJECTIVE: The current study explored the relationship between past traumatic experiences and current depression in a sample of depressed older adult primary care patients. METHOD: Sixty-six patients were referred from primary care to a psychogeriatric clinic that specialized in the treatment of unipolar depressive disorders. All patients received an extensive psychological assessment. RESULTS: Twenty-one percent had a history of trauma reported in their medical charts. Despite no differences found on a clinician-rated measure of depression, those with a trauma history had more depressive symptoms on a self-report measure. CONCLUSIONS: Although older patients with a history of trauma may not appear more depressed than a non-trauma comparison group, they may be in more psychological distress. The clinical implications of these findings and recommendations for mental health professionals are discussed.

publication date

  • January 1, 2001

Research

keywords

  • Depressive Disorder
  • Wounds and Injuries

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 0035727847

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.2190/61ME-F2M0-3PH5-G59E

PubMed ID

  • 11949738

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 31

issue

  • 4