The concept of “vegetative depression” (1949) by Rudolf Lemke

In primary care you often see cases of depression in which somatic or vegetative symptoms dominate the clinical picture compared to other rather typical complaints of low mood or a loss of interest. Over the years, several concepts, like the masked depression or the depressive equivalent, have been developed in order to explain these responses. One of the first, nearly forgotten concepts, however, was concepts was the “vegetative depression” by East German psychiatrist Rudolf Lemke from 1949, describing an anxious depression due to a vegetative dysfunction. The strengths and weaknesses of Lemke's concept will be analysed with particular reference to earlier, similar theories and subsequent reviews. Furthermore the poster shows the historical development of several similar concepts towards current systems of classification. The fact that, due to the dominance of physical symptoms, many patients suffering from this disease consult a general practitioner even today proves that Lemke dealt with a problem most significant both for psychiatry and general medicine.