The term ‘depression’ is now used to cover a wider range of emotional disturbances than was the case when psychiatrists confined their attention to patients referred to psychiatric hospitals. There is considerable confusion about the variety of meanings and the loose terminology leads to claims and counter-claims about aetiology and treatment. The current classificatory systems and the variety of rating scales do not clarify issues concerning appropriate management. The guidelines for a clearer definition of a biogenic form of the concept of depression, which is likely to respond to antidepressant drug therapy, would be of considerable value to psychiatrists, non-psychiatric physicians and others who try to treat or help people in states of disordered emotion. Such guidelines are proposed.
