The Scientific Status of Neurotic Depression

The concept of neurotic depression was introduced in the early part of the 20th century. The concept has undergone many revisions, and recently was discontinued as a category in the DSM-III. In the past, neurotic depression was referred to as a nonpsychotic form of depression, a nonendogenous depression, as well as many other categories. The presence of various meanings has made it difficult to develop algorithms for neurotic depression; the findings substantiate the decision of the DSM-III not to continue the category of neurotic depression.