Depression simulating organic brain disease.

The authors report four cases of depression manifesting as organic brain syndrome in adult nongeriatric patients. The correct diagnoses in three cases were made by a psychiatrist's or resident's empathic response to the patient, and in the fourth by the patient's history of depression. The authors state that only by maintaining a high degree of suspicion and trusting one's empathic response to the patient will unusual presentation of depression be recognized.