[Affective disorders--depression diagnosis and prognosis].

Affective disorders have been described since ancient Greece. The ICD-10 classification of mania and depression mixes typology with severity. A hierarchical model for depression separating psychotic, melancholic and non-melancholic depression is outlined. Psychometric measurements of mania and depression, including scales for use in clinical practice are presented. The course of affective disorders underlines the severity of the disorders with many recurrent episodes and long duration, especially in the depressive state.