Personality disorders among depressed outpatients as identified by the MCMI

Personality disorders frequently are seen among depressed psychiatric inpatients. In a group of 73 depressed psychiatric outpatients, this study identified 85% whose response to the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI) suggested a personality disorder. On retest 12 weeks later, only 64% manifested a response style consistent with the DSM-III personality disorders. These findings are discussed in relation to methodology, characteristics of the MCMI, and the response style of the depressed patient, which may lead to an overidentification of personality disorders on a self-report measure. Related aspects of the diagnostic criteria for personality disorders also are discussed.