Depressive personality characteristics and clinical depression

The purpose of this study was to clarify relationships among depressive personality disorder (DPD) characteristics and clinical depression. The hypothesis was that current criteria for DPD reflect both stable traits predisposing people to depression and state dependent concomitants of depression. Thirty clinically depressed, 30 formerly depressed, and 30 never depressed subjects identified by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R and the Beck Depression Inventory were given the modified Diagnostic Interview for Depressive Personality to detect 26 characteristics associated with DPD. Results from between-group comparisons supported the hypothesis. Formerly depressed subjects (who are presumably depression-prone) reported low self-esteem and counterdependency (i.e., a reluctance to seek help or support) more often than did never depressed subjects (p < 0.004), even after controlling for subclinical symptoms. These traits appear to be vulnerability factors in depression. Never depressed subjects reported DPD characteristics, negativistic and self-denying personality features, and self-criticism less often than did formerly depressed and currently depressed subjects, in that order. These characteristics seem to predispose people to depression and exist apart from clinical episodes, but increase with clinical depression. Depressed subjects reported gloominess, seriousness, and being critical of or angry with others more often than did nondepressed subjects. These characteristics appear to be concomitants of depression, rather than traits. Results indicate that it is appropriate to categorize DPD as a personality disorder rather than as a subtype of dysthymia. Further, inquiring about DPD vulnerability traits holds promise for identifying depressed patients requiring long-term follow-up treatment.