Understanding the heterogeneity of depression through the triad of symptoms, course and risk factors: a longitudinal, population-based study

There is an ongoing research effort to test if depression is a homogeneous clinical syndrome and to identify valid and useful subtypes based on the number and nature of depressive symptoms. This study summarizes the patterns of depressive symptoms evident in a prospective study of the general population and examines the validity of potential subtypes by studying their course and etiologic heterogeneity.A general population sample of 1920 adults...