Depressive Equivalents

Depressive Equivalents: Replacement of attacks of depression in manic-depressive psychosis

Depressive equivalents are periodically occurring conditions characterized by a variety of complaints and symptoms, mainly of a vegetative nature. They can occur as part of manic-depressive psychosis and replace attacks of depression.

Manic depression, also known as bipolar disorder, is a serious mental illness characterized by periods of mania and depression. With this disorder, patients may experience episodes of intense euphoria, increased activity and irritability (manic episodes), as well as episodes of deep sadness, despair and loss of interest in life (depressive episodes).

However, some patients may experience depressive equivalents instead of bouts of depression. In contrast to the typical symptoms of depression, such as low mood, loss of interest, and sleep and appetite disturbances, depressive equivalents are manifested by a variety of complaints and symptoms, mostly of an autonomic nature.

Among the most common symptoms of depressive equivalents are:

  1. Palpitations and palpitations: Patients may experience palpitations, a feeling of rapid heartbeat, or palpitations without a physical cause.

  2. Eating disorders: Changes in appetite and weight may be characteristic of depressive equivalents. Patients may experience loss of appetite and weight loss, or, conversely, increased appetite and weight gain.

  3. Drowsiness and insomnia: Changes in sleep are common symptoms of depression, and they can also present with depressive equivalents. Some patients experience excessive sleepiness and difficulty waking up, while others may suffer from insomnia and restless sleep.

  4. Physical pain and non-specific symptoms: Patients may complain of a variety of pain and discomfort, such as headaches, abdominal pain, muscle pain and general weakness. These symptoms may be nonspecific and have no obvious physical cause.

Depressive equivalents can present significant difficulties for patients and clinicians in diagnosing and treating manic-depressive psychosis. Due to the lack of typical symptoms of depression, it can be difficult to correctly identify the condition and prescribe appropriate treatment.

Determining depressive equivalents and their difference from typical symptoms of depression is important for understanding the mechanisms of development and prognosis of manic-depressive psychosis. Establishing a diagnosis may require a multidisciplinary approach, including history, clinical assessment, and the use of standardized psychometric instruments.

Treatment of depressive equivalents should be aimed at relieving symptoms and improving the patient's quality of life. Treatment approaches may include pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes. Antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and antiangiogenic drugs can be used to manage symptoms of depression and prevent relapse.

Psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or psychoanalysis, can be helpful for patients with depressive equivalents, helping them develop stress management strategies, improve emotion regulation, and change negative thought patterns.

It is important to note that depressive equivalents are a serious mental condition that requires competent medical care and support. Early contact with a specialist and timely treatment can significantly improve the patient’s prognosis and quality of life.

In conclusion, depressive equivalents are recurrent conditions that replace episodes of depression in manic-depressive illness. Their peculiarity is the variety of complaints and symptoms of a vegetative nature. Understanding, diagnosing, and treating depressive equivalents play an important role in providing optimal care and improving the quality of life of patients suffering from manic depression.



The depressive equivalent is a periodic state of the body, which is characterized by a variety of complaints and symptoms. This condition replaces attacks of manic-depressive psychosis (MDP). Currently, in medical science and practice, there are a large number of different depressions, which differ both in symptoms and psychopathological manifestations. In this regard, it seems an urgent problem to develop and improve effective methods of treatment not only for the depressive phase of the disease itself, but also for depression-like conditions.

Currently, there are several approaches to studying the structure of depressive equivalents. The hypnoreflexological model reflects a comparison of the analysis of deep



Depressive equivalent (DE) is one of the common syndromes, manifesting itself along with mania, worsening somatic and psycho-emotional symptoms, including deterioration of the general background of mood. Suicidal tendencies, thoughts of committing suicide, and thoughts of murder and crime may also be present. It is believed that the emergence of MU in