Adult Dysthymia

Dysthymia, Part B

A number of different sources of information were used to delineate the medical and psychological components of this case Study. These included a complete physical examination, a comprehensive panel of blood and urine laboratory tests, patient interview, patient's medical and psychological history, family history of medical and psychological diseases or conditions, and interviews with close friends and relatives when available (Bellino, Patria, Ziero, Rocca, and Bogetto, 2001).

A diagnosis of dysthymia was based on the diagnostic criteria in DSM-IV-TR (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2000). The severity of depression was graded using the 24-item version of the HAM-D and patient interview. The patient was interrogated concerning major life stressors using the Interview for Recent Life Events (Bellino, Patria, Ziero, Rocca, and Bogetto, 2001). Cognitive functioning was also assessed using a 20-item Mini-Mental State Examination.

Background Information

The 69-year-old patient, Jack V. (JV), first sought medical care...
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