Multiaxial diagnostic ratings of inpatients at the Department of Psychiatry in Lund - Individuals with the diagnosis severe depression/melancholia

Between 1949 and 1969, a multiaxial diagnostic schedule was used to rate all inpatients at the Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Lund, Sweden. The ratings were made at discharge of the patients and were performed by senior psychiatrists with at least three years of training. The rating schedule was developed by Professor Erik Essen-Möller and consisted of one symptomatic or syndromatic part and one aetologic part. The interview consisted of questions about social situation, occupation, physical illness, current medication, course of depression, cause of onset and cause of recovery/remission, treatment, suicide attempts, childhood, alcohol, and so forth. Approximately 7000 individuals were rated with a follow-up on individuals with alcohol problems (n=1312) or the diagnosis severe depression/melancholia (n=1206). The follow-up included data from the patient-records and sometimes personal contact. Purpose: To rate all inpatients at the Department of Psychiatry in Lund according to a multiaxial rating schedule with a symptomatic, a syndromatic and an aetiological part.