Depression Simulating Organic Brain Disease

Abstract

The authors report four cases of depression manifesting as organic brain syndrome in adult nongeriatric patients. The correct diagnoses in three cases were made by a psychiatrist's or resident's empathic response to the patient, and in the fourth by the patient's history of depression. The authors state that only by maintaining a high degree of suspicion and trusting one's empathic response to the patient will unusual presentation of depression be recognized.