The course of affective disorders in different periods of life
Stańczakowa, T.
Psychiatria Polska 27(6): 655-666
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0033-2674 PMID: 8134499 Document Number: 414969
The aim of the following research was to estimate the dependence of the course of affective disorders on sex and age. The material used in this study came from 760 medical records of 100 patients with affective disorders. The proportions of depressive and mania phases were estimated both for men and women in 4 groups of age: I to 29 years; II--30-44; III--45-59; IV--60 years and over. It was found that the proportion of episodes of mania decreased from 71.8% in group I to 26.0% in group III and increased to 28.9% in the oldest group. The proportional changes of depressive episodes where noted. In the first group there were episodes of mania prevalent both in male and female patients. In group II depressive episodes dominated (60.6%) among women and there were 53.9% manias among men. In group III depressive episodes were prevalent among both sexes. In group IV depressive phases constituted the majority (75.2%) among women and 59.5% among men. Analyzing the clinical picture of depression it was found that men from group I and III more often mentioned suicidal thoughts and demonstrated fear and suicidal attempts. In group IV women more often then men exhibited fear, suicidal thoughts and attempts. In the mania phase men from group I exhibited more symptoms then women. In group II the clinical picture of mania were similar for both sexes. In group III women with mania were more seriously ill then men--they exhibited flight of ideas, aggression, dysphoria, they abused alcohol and took part in criminal activity. In the oldest group the clinical picture of mania was similar, only women exhibited flight of ideas and aggression more often then men.