Referential nomenclature
A simple nomenclature system was introduced in 1978 by Angst, J., et al, to easier label individuals' affectedness within the spectrum, following a clinical study by the Psychiatric University Clinic of Zürich.Points on the spectrum using this nomenclature are denoted using the following codes:
- 'M' severe mania
- 'D' severe depression (unipolar depression)
- 'm' less severe mania (hypomania)
- 'd' less severe depression
Thus, 'mD' represents a case with hypomania and major depression. A further distinction is sometimes made in the ordering of the letters, to represent the order of the episodes, where the patient's normal state is euthymic, interrupted by episodes of mania followed by depression ('MD') or vice versa ('DM').
Employing this schema, major depression would be denoted 'D'. Unipolar mania ('M') is, depending on the authority cited, either very rare, or nonexistent with such cases actually being 'Md'.
Unipolar hypomania ('m') without accompanying depression is not noted in the medical literature. There is speculation as to whether this condition may exist in the general population, but successful social functioning may defining these high-achieving normals, rather than individuals suffering any substantial dysregulation.
References
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Last updated on Monday March 10, 2008 at 17:28:23 PDT (GMT -0700)
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Referential nomenclature
A simple nomenclature system was introduced in 1978 by Angst, J., et al, to easier label individuals' affectedness within the spectrum, following a clinical study by the Psychiatric University Clinic of Zürich.Points on the spectrum using this nomenclature are denoted using the following codes:
- 'M' severe mania
- 'D' severe depression (unipolar depression)
- 'm' less severe mania (hypomania)
- 'd' less severe depression
Thus, 'mD' represents a case with hypomania and major depression. A further distinction is sometimes made in the ordering of the letters, to represent the order of the episodes, where the patient's normal state is euthymic, interrupted by episodes of mania followed by depression ('MD') or vice versa ('DM').
Employing this schema, major depression would be denoted 'D'. Unipolar mania ('M') is, depending on the authority cited, either very rare, or nonexistent with such cases actually being 'Md'.
Unipolar hypomania ('m') without accompanying depression is not noted in the medical literature. There is speculation as to whether this condition may exist in the general population, but successful social functioning may defining these high-achieving normals, rather than individuals suffering any substantial dysregulation.
References
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