Multidimensional classification of affective disorders.

Research data on biological markers, clinical presentation and course of affective disorders justify proposal of a new multidimensional classification of these disorders. The classification is made according to six parameters: clinical picture, severity, course, duration of episodes and lucid intervals, etiology and premorbid personality. The clinical picture defines the predominant syndrome types and subtypes. The severity of the disease is graded as mild, moderate and severe. The course type includes two subgroups: unipolar and bipolar. The fourth parameter gives the duration of the episodes and lucid intervals and the criteria for chronicity of the disorder. The etiological parameter assesses the relative contribution of endogenous, exogenous and psychogenic factors in the etiology. The personality of the patient is classified into three types: normothymia, monothymia (dysthymia, hyperthymia) and bithymia (cyclothymia).