Dexamethasone suppression test in masked depression

The dexamethasone suppression test (DST), family history, response to antidepressant medication and short-term course were investigated in 16 female patients with masked depression. Twelve patients showed abnormal DST results, 3 patients had positive family history of affective illness in first-degree relatives, 11 responded well to antidepressant drug treatment and 3 showed definite hypomanic episodes during follow-up. The results suggest that masked depression is a special form of primary (endogenous) depressive illness, and that the DST is a good diagnostic aid not only in the 'classical' but also in masked forms of depressive disorders.