La depresión: ¿Un trastorno dimensional o categorial?

Abstract

El tema del carácter dimensional o categorial de la depresión, así como de otros trastornos mentales, es un asunto de gran relevancia científica y clínica. Las implicaciones de la existencia de un modelo categorial en la actualidad para definir y estimar la presencia de un cuadro clínico se ven reflejadas en los datos epidemiológicos, los resultados de las investigaciones y los mismos instrumentos de medida, así como en los programas de intervención que se llevan a cabo.

One of the crucial subjects, either for the clinical or scientific activity, is the dimensional or categorical character of depression and other mental diseases. Each approach is different from the theoretical and epistemological points of view. At presence, the categorical model for the definition and estimation of the presence of a disorder are reflected in the data on epidemiology, the results of investigations, instruments and the interventions. These elements are related to a system of thinking which results in a particular form of conceiving the psychopathology and intervention. Nevertheless, the strong influence of the categorical model in which the disorders are defined as a group of accomplished criteria has not prevented from development of a dimensional model. The latter postulates the existence of a continuum between the normality and pathology which correspond with dimensions, levels and severity related to the certain behaviours, traits or even symptoms.