Download a PDF of the 2012 Annual Report - Black Dog Institute

Determining melancholic from non-melancholicdepression – This study aimed to separatefeatures that are different for ‘melancholic’ and ‘nonmelancholic’depression. It is suggested that ‘melancholic’depression (about 10 per cent of depressivedisorder) is a more biological illness and that the bulkof depressive disorder can be categorised as ‘nonmelancholic’,with the latter more closely associatedwith stress and personality factors. The Sydney MelancholiaPrototype Index developed by the researchersfound that ‘non-melancholic’ participants in thestudy had more anxiety disorders, a higher number ofstressors and were more likely to have a personalitystyle that could predispose them to non-melancholicdepression. Clinician ratings of patients were foundto be more accurate than ratings made by patients oftheir own mood state.Implications of genetic tests for psychiatricillness – It is now possible to link a person’s genetic‘markers’ to their risk of developing a particulardisease and to sell such tests direct to the consumer.Since the information may influence life-changinghealth decisions, it is very important to ensure thatthere is sound evidence to support the use of any particulargenetic test. Advantages of such tests are thatearly protection such as medication and therapies canbe implemented, hopefully lowering risk, and somegenetic tests can also predict medication response.Disadvantages include that such tests can increaserather than diminish stigma, and cause unnecessarydistress and discrimination in instances where the illness/conditionnever develops.BLACK DOG 201217