Chronic Depression or Depressive Personality Disorder?

Shortly after posting the previous item in this thread I came across McDermut, Zimmerman & Chelminski's (2003) article on the construct validity of Depressive Personality Disorder. As I looked at the traits seen as being characteristic of Depressive Personality Disorder, I was struck by the extent to which they overlap with the cognitions seen as being characteristic of chronic depression.

It seems as though there is a group of people who suffer from chronic low self-esteem, are harshly self-critical, tend to ruminate and worry, are pessimistic, are critical and judgemental towards others, and (not surprisingly) are prone to feeling gloomy, cheerless, and remorseful.

Some investigators argue that this chronic pattern should be seen as a personality disorder while others see it as a chronic Axis I problem. Either way, cognitive factors appear to be intimately involved and CT should be a promising intervention approach.

McDermut, W., Zimmerman, M. & Chelminski, I. (2003). The construct validity of depressive personality disorder. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 112, 49-60.

Replies:

MBCT and meta-cognitive awareness, by Carl Robbins, 03/17/03 Re:Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy, by Jim Pretzer, 03/19/03 Re:MBCT and meta-cognitive awareness, by Joop Meijers, 03/21/03

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