Abstract
The authors describe two patients with Munchausen syndrome who met DSM-III criteria for major depression. Both patients exhibited evidence of nonsuppression of serum cortisol by dexamethasone. Although many patients with Munchausen syndrome have been reported to be depressed, only a few have received a diagnosis of major depression. Because the physical and psychiatric symptoms of the Munchausen patient are so complex, clinical assessment may stop at a diagnosis of Munchausen syndrome, and major depresssion may be overlooked. A diagnosis of major depression should be considered in the evaluation of these patients; the dexamethasone suppression test may enhance clinical assessment.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 570-572 |
| Number of pages | 3 |
| Journal | American Journal of Psychiatry |
| Volume | 141 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| State | Published - Jan 1 1984 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychiatry and Mental health
Cite this
Munchausen syndrome, depression and the dexamethasone suppression test. / Evans, D. L.; Hsiao, J. K.; Nemeroff, Charles.
In: American Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 141, No. 4, 01.01.1984, p. 570-572.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Munchausen syndrome, depression and the dexamethasone suppression test
AU - Evans, D. L.
AU - Hsiao, J. K.
AU - Nemeroff, Charles
PY - 1984/1/1
Y1 - 1984/1/1
N2 - The authors describe two patients with Munchausen syndrome who met DSM-III criteria for major depression. Both patients exhibited evidence of nonsuppression of serum cortisol by dexamethasone. Although many patients with Munchausen syndrome have been reported to be depressed, only a few have received a diagnosis of major depression. Because the physical and psychiatric symptoms of the Munchausen patient are so complex, clinical assessment may stop at a diagnosis of Munchausen syndrome, and major depresssion may be overlooked. A diagnosis of major depression should be considered in the evaluation of these patients; the dexamethasone suppression test may enhance clinical assessment.
AB - The authors describe two patients with Munchausen syndrome who met DSM-III criteria for major depression. Both patients exhibited evidence of nonsuppression of serum cortisol by dexamethasone. Although many patients with Munchausen syndrome have been reported to be depressed, only a few have received a diagnosis of major depression. Because the physical and psychiatric symptoms of the Munchausen patient are so complex, clinical assessment may stop at a diagnosis of Munchausen syndrome, and major depresssion may be overlooked. A diagnosis of major depression should be considered in the evaluation of these patients; the dexamethasone suppression test may enhance clinical assessment.
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0021337108&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
VL - 141
SP - 570
EP - 572
JO - American Journal of Psychiatry
JF - American Journal of Psychiatry
SN - 0002-953X
IS - 4
ER -