Vegetative symptoms explained

Vegetative symptoms should not be confused with Vegetative state.

Vegetative symptoms are disturbances of a person's functions necessary to maintain life (vegetative functions). These disturbances are most commonly seen in mood disorders, and are part of the diagnostic criteria for depression, but also appear in other conditions.^[1]

Vegetative symptoms in a patient with typical depression include:^[2]

• Weight loss and loss of appetite
• Insomnia
• Fatigue and low energy
• Inattention

Reversed vegetative symptoms

Reversed vegetative symptoms include only oversleeping (hypersomnia) and overeating (hyperphagia), as compared to insomnia and loss of appetite. These features are characteristic of atypical depression.

However, there have been studies^[3] claiming that these symptoms alone are sufficient to diagnose the condition of atypical depression.

See also

• Sleep disorder
• Dysautonomia

Notes and References

1. Book: Griffin . JB Jr.. Walker. HK. Hall. WD. Hurst. JW. Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. 3rd. Boston. Butterworths. 1990. Chapter 205: Psychological Disturbances of Vegetative Function.
2. Web site: Carey. William. Physician's Guide to Recognition and Treatment of Depression. Cleveland Clinic. 4 September 2014. Detection of an MDE in the context of debilitating medical illness is often difficult because the vegetative symptoms of depression (anorexia, insomnia, fatigue, and impaired attention) can occur as manifestations of severe medical or surgical illness itself..
3. Benazzi F . Can only reversed vegetative symptoms define atypical depression? . Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci . 252 . 6 . 288–93 . December 2002 . 12563537 . 10.1007/s00406-002-0395-0 . 428335 .