Introduction: The doctrine of spectrum allows a more common ethiopathogeny for multiple nosological entities, that can be diagnosed separately and which, by their way or intensity of expression, are different. Currently, in psychiatric research, the focus is on the schizophrenic and affective spectra, on their overlap and the clinical practice has noticed the existence of a delusional-depressive spectrum.
Material and methods: Two groups of subjects were examined: group A, comprising of 16 subjects with a diagnosis of F33.3 (ICD 10) and group B, with 27 delusional depressive subjects with a diagnosis of F22 (ICD 10). In these subjects we evaluated the socio-demographic parameters, paranoid elements (Paranoid Thoughts Scale) and social functioning (SFS). The analyzed assumptions were that paranoid ideation shows a higher intensity in subjects with delusional disorder and that social functioning is lower in subjects with psychotic depression.
Results: The socio-demographic parameters show values similar to those of literature; paranoid ideation is present in both groups, but holds no influence on social functioning. There were statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding social functioning, in that it is higher in subjects with delusional disorder compared with those with delusional depression.
Conclusions: Social functioning is higher in delusional disorder subjects compared with those who suffer from psychotic depression; in both groups, all areas of social functioning are affected and the presence of sensitive and paranoid elements does not determine a lower social functioning.