A group of 60 patients with spinal cord injury was examined to assess
mood disorders during the rehabilitation hospital admission and 6 months of
follow-up. During the initial evaluations, 13 patients (22%) had major
depression and 5 patients (8%) had minor depression. The development of
mood disorders during the hospital admission appeared to be related to
heterogeneous etiological factors, including previous psychiatric history
and severity of impairment in activities of daily living. During the first
3 months after SCI, about half of the depressions resolved. Nonrecovery
from depression may be related to lack of adequate social support.Abstract Teaser