Depressive personality characteristics: state dependent concomitants of depressive disorder and traits independent of current depression

Depressive personality disorder (DPD) characteristics may reflect both state dependent concomitants and traits independent of current depression. In all, 30 clinically, 30 formerly, and 30 never depressed participants were given the Diagnostic Interview for Depressive Personality (J. G. Gunderson, K. A. Phillips, J. Triebwasser, & R. M. A. Hirschfeld, 1994). Negative reactivity, remorsefulness, a limited capacity for fun, gloominess, pessimism, difficulty being critical or angry, unassertiveness, self-denial, and seriousness differentiated depressed and nondepressed participants, indicating that they are primarily concomitants of depression. Self-criticalness differentiated formerly from never depressed participants after subclinical symptoms were controlled, suggesting that it is a trait independent of current depression. Low self-esteem, feeling burdened, and counterdependency manifested both state and trait components. If DPD is placed on Axis II, it should be defined by traits at least partly independent of depression.