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Appendix B Diagnosis: Depressive Personality Disorder

 

The Work Group recommends that this disorder be represented and diagnosed by a combination of core impairment in personality functioning and specific pathological personality traits, rather than as a specific type.

Prominent Personality Traits: Pessimism, Anxiousness, Depressivity, Low self-esteem, Guilt/shame, Anhedonia  

Severity is assessed by the Self and Interpersonal Functioning Continuum.

Trait levels are assessed on a four-point scale.

 

DSM-IV Research Criteria for Depressive Personality Disorder

A. A pervasive pattern of depressive cognitions and behaviors beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:

    1) Usual mood is dominated by dejection, gloominess, cheerlessness, joylessness, unhappiness

    2) Self-concept centers around belief of inadequacy, worthlessness, and low self-esteem

    3) Is critical, blaming, and derogatory towards self

    4) Is brooding and given to worry

    5) Is negativistic, critical, and judgemental towards others

    6) Is pessimistic

    7) Is prone to feeling guilty or remorseful

B. Does not occur exclusively during Major Depressive Episodes and is not better accounted for by Dysthymic Disorder

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  American Psychiatric Association
 
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