Neuroticism and personality disorder in depression

Neuroticism and DSM-III personality disorder were studied in 39 depressed inpatients. Interrelationships between these variables and their relationship to depressive typology were compared. The relationship of neuroticism, DSM-III personality type and adequacy of personality to MAOI treatment are also examined. Neuroticism scores were unaffected by short-term treatment, and no differences in neuroticism were observed between melancholics and nonmelancholics, or between endogenous and nonendogenous depressives. Higher neuroticism scores were associated with DSM-III personality disorder. Personality disorder occurred significantly more often in nonmelancholia; borderline, antisocial and histrionic personality disorders occurred exclusively in nonmelancholia, while passive-aggressive, dependent and avoidant disorders occurred in both kinds of depression. Response to MAO inhibitor treatment was similar in patients with high and low neuroticism, adequate and inadequate personality, DSM-III personality disorder and no DSM-III personality disorder. Ambiguities of Eysenck's neuroticism scale are discussed in relationship to depression.