
Millon’s subtypes
Subtype | Description | Personality traits |
Ill-humored depressive | Including negativistic features | Patients in this subtype are often ... |
Self-derogating depressive | Including dependent features | Patients who fall under this subtype are ... |
Morbid depressive | Including schizoid and masochistic featu ... | Morbid depressives experience profound d ... |
Restive depressive | Including borderline and avoidant featur ... | Patients who fall under this subtype are ... |
Full Answer
What are 10 personality disorders?
Depressive Personality Disorder (also known as melancholic personality disorder) is a controversial psychiatric diagnosis that denotes a personality disorder with depressive features.
What is the best treatment for personality disorders?
Apr 08, 2022 · The Depressive has pervasive and continuous depressive cognitions (thoughts) and behaviors. They manifest themselves in every area of life and never abate. The patient is gloomy, dejected, pessimistic, overly serious, lacks a sense of humor, cheerless, joyless, and constantly unhappy. This dark mood is not influenced by changing circumstances.
What are the main types of personality disorder?
Depressive personality disorder is a psychiatric diagnosis that indicates a personality disorder with depressive features. Although it is no longer listed as a personality disorder, the diagnosis is included under the section “personality disorder not otherwise specified”. DPD Explained
What are the different types of depressive disorders?
Apr 07, 2013 · Psychology Definition of DEPRESSIVE PERSONALITY DISORDER: A disorder featuring a lack of joy and the inability to feel pleasure, feelings of loss and giving up.

What does it mean to have a depressive personality?
People with depressive personality disorder have a generally gloomy outlook on life, themselves, the past and the future. They are plagued by issues developing and maintaining relationships.
Is depressive disorder a personality disorder?
Major depressive disorder is not a personality disorder but rather a mood disorder. Experiencing drastic mood changes is a primary effect of depression, similar to other mood conditions such as bipolar and seasonal affective disorder. The DSM-5 defines the criteria needed to diagnose major depressive disorder.Apr 14, 2021
What is an example of a depressive disorder?
Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness. Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters. Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as sex, hobbies or sports. Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much.Feb 3, 2018
What are the 3 types of personality disorders?
These are grouped into three categories. Suspicious: Paranoid personality disorder. Schizoid personality disorder....Emotional and impulsive:Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD)Borderline personality disorder (BPD)Histrionic personality disorder.Narcissistic personality disorder.
Is depression a part of BPD?
Major depressive disorder (MDD) commonly co-occurs with BPD. The lifetime prevalence of major depression in the course of BPD was 83% in one large study,1 which accords with other research and clinical experience.Oct 29, 2013
What type of personality causes depression?
Research has identified a number of personality styles that put people at risk: 1. Those with high levels of general anxiety who are at risk of depression because of their worrying, catastrophizing propensities, and their tendency to take things too personally. 2.Oct 10, 2019
What is the main cause of depression?
There's no single cause of depression. It can occur for a variety of reasons and it has many different triggers. For some people, an upsetting or stressful life event, such as bereavement, divorce, illness, redundancy and job or money worries, can be the cause. Different causes can often combine to trigger depression.
What are the 6 types of depression?
Types of DepressionMajor Depression.Persistent Depressive Disorder.Bipolar Disorder.Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Psychotic Depression.Peripartum (Postpartum) Depression.Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)'Situational' Depression.More items...•Jun 23, 2021
What are the 3 levels of depression?
Symptoms of depression interfere with all areas of a person's life, including work and social relationships. Depression can be described as mild, moderate or severe; melancholic or psychotic (see below).
How can you tell if someone has a personality disorder?
Approach them very gently when they are in a stable mood. Don't specifically mention BPD if you can help it—just tell them their behavior is worrisome to you because you love them and want them to be happy. Offer your support every step of the way.
What causes mood disorder?
Many factors contribute to mood disorders. They are likely caused by an imbalance of brain chemicals. Life events (such as stressful life changes) may also contribute to a depressed mood. Mood disorders also tend to run in families.
What is narcissism mental disorder?
Narcissistic personality disorder — one of several types of personality disorders — is a mental condition in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for excessive attention and admiration, troubled relationships, and a lack of empathy for others.Nov 18, 2017
What is a depressive pattern?
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: usual mood is dominated by dejection, gloominess, cheerlessness, joylessness, unhappiness. self-concept centers around beliefs of inadequacy, worthlessness, ...
What is self concept?
self-concept centers around beliefs of inadequacy, worthlessness, and low self-esteem. is negativistic, critical, and judgmental toward others. Does not occur exclusively during Major Depressive Episodes and is not better accounted for by Dysthymic Disorder.
Is depressive personality disorder a persistent disorder?
These conditions may exist on a spectrum, with depressive personality disorder being the early-onset, persistent, trait like variant of the Depressive Disorders. Preliminary evidence suggests that depressive personality disorder may have an increased prevalence in family members of probands with Major Depressive Disorder.
What would happen if depressive personality disorder was added to the DSM-V?
If depressive personality disorder were added to the DSM-V, it would be included in the Cluster C personality disorders, anxious and fearful personality disorders. At this time, those include avoidant, obsessive-compulsive, and dependent personality disorders. The make-up of Cluster C would have to be rethought, as the figure shown below could no longer represent all of the disorders if depressive personality disorder were to be included. The relation shown in the Venn diagram has been accepted for years and would have to be rethought and redesigned if depressive personality disorder were to be added. Further studies are in progress looking into the comorbidity of Cluster C disorders and depressive personality disorder, as well as how these disorders interact with each other in patients diagnosed with multiple Cluster C disorders.
What is the DSM IV?
The DSM-IV defines depressive personality disorder as “a pervasive pattern of depressive cognitions and behaviors beginning by early adulthood and occurring in a variety of contexts.” Depressive personality disorder occurs before, during, and after major depressive episodes, making it a distinct diagnosis not included in the definition of either major depressive episodes or dysthymic disorder. Specifically, five or more of the following must be present most days for at least two years in order for a diagnosis of depressive personality disorder to be made:
Is dysthymia a DSM?
Much of the controversy surrounding the potential inclusion of depressive personality disorder in the DSM-V stems from its apparent similarities to dysthymic disorder, a diagnosis already included in the DSM-IV. Dysthymic disorder is characterized by a variety of depressive symptoms, such as hypersomnia or fatigue, low self esteem, poor appetite, or difficulty making decisions, for over two years, with symptoms never numerous or severe enough to qualify as major depressive disorder. Patients with dysthymic disorder may experience social withdrawal, pessimism, and feelings of inadequacy at higher rates than other depression spectrum patients. Early-onset dysthymia is the diagnosis most closely related to depressive personality disorder.
Who identified the five subtypes of depression?
Theodore Millon, a former professor of Harvard Medical School and University of Miami and a respected psychiatrist, identified five subtypes of depression. Any individual depressive may exhibit none, or one or more of the following:
DPD Explained
Cognitive vulnerabilities and other underlying maladaptive personality characteristics should not simply be viewed as part of depression. To do so opens the door to treatment failure and recurring episodes of depression and other difficulties.
Depressive Personality Disorder Resources
This blog post is a collection of great resources for Depressive Personality Disorder, dysthymia (dysthymic disorder) and early onset chronic depression
How to deal with a depressed person?
So how do you deal with a person who might be depressive? Here are a few suggestions: 1 Dont minimize their feelings of inadequacy or depression; rather reassure them that support is unconditional and not contingent upon how they feel. 2 Do a small act of encouragement or show gratefulness to them whenever possible without expecting it to change or modify their behavior. 3 If one thing goes wrong in their life, it all comes crashing down. So dont overreact even if they are over or under reacting. 4 They spiral easily to a depressive state so keep things as smooth as possible. 5 They arent able to look on the bright side so dont expect it or get angry when they wont. 6 Listen to their worries and fears without criticism or judgment. This is not a spiritual condition and cannot be fixed through spiritual methods. This is a personality condition and is as ingrained as the color of their eyes.
What happens if one thing goes wrong in your life?
If one thing goes wrong in their life, it all comes crashing down. So dont overreact even if they are over or under reacting. They spiral easily to a depressive state so keep things as smooth as possible. They arent able to look on the bright side so dont expect it or get angry when they wont.
What is the difference between DP and depression?
The major difference is that a DP person can also have depression but a person with depression is not necessarily DP. One type of depression is situational such as grieving the loss of a friend. Another is chemical such as overproduction of certain hormones. By contrast, DP is a personality trait and is not based on situation or chemical factors.
What is the definition of anxiety?
Here is the technical definition: Depressivity. Anxiousness. Anhedonia – absence of pleasure or the ability to experience it. The practical definition looks more like this: Feels dejected, gloomy, and worthless most of the time and is not a result of situational depression or chemical depression.
Is DP a personality disorder?
The DSM-V does not list DP as a personality disorder. However, it can be classified under Personality Disorder Not Specified. This means that there was not enough research to properly classify DPs as having a named personality disorder but there is evidence enough that it exists. Here is the technical definition:
Is a DP a spiritual condition?
Listen to their worries and fears without criticism or judgment. This is not a spiritual condition and cannot be fixed through spiritual methods. This is a personality condition and is as ingrained as the color of their eyes. It can be frustrating at times to know a DP but their mood does not need to infect others mood.
What personality disorder does Gregory House have?
Gregory House, the prickly-attitude genius star of the show, is often brooding, ill-humored, and pessimistic, leading to interpersonal discord; core features of Depressive Personality Disorder (DPD). Interestingly, House also exhibits some narcissistic components, what Millon called a "voguish" tendency in some DPD cases.
What does it mean when a therapist is heavy on homework?
Being heavy on the homework, for example, may produce little results for lack of initiative and beliefs they are incapable. Failing to do the work, in turn, reinforces their sense of being a failure, placing therapy in a rut.
Why is it troubling to spend time with someone who is depressed?
The person has presented a depressive demeanor for a long as anyone can recall and is troubling to spend time with because of: Brooding, caustic pessimism , frequent criticism of others, and complaints of how everyone else has it better.
Who is the psychologist who referred to the pessimistic personality?
Psychologists Todd Finnerty (2009) and Theodore Millon (1996, 2021) are two experts who have advocated for modern-day acceptance of the condition, Millon referring to it as the Pessimistic or Melancholic Personality.
Does DPD evolve from upbringing?
Given global core schema are in place by latency (Shannon, 2019), and tend to be learned, it is likely DPD evolves from upbringing where pessimistic and helpless thinking is the norm, perhaps coupled with a genetic predisposition for depression. Source: Tadeusz Lakota/Unsplash.
Is DPD a rocky history?
DPD has a rocky history in terms of acceptance as a condition. Given it may be difficult to differentiate long-term, chronic depression (the generally-accepted definition being at least two years' duration for adults) from personality, which is constant by nature, is the overarching reason why the American Psychiatric Association (APA) ...
Does axis 1 depression affect relationships?
Not that "Axis 1" depression can't affect relationships, but DPD brings a global sense of inflexible, maladaptive schema/world view inherent in personality issues, not simply the low self-esteem and hopelessness schematics that occur in episodic depression. Given global core schema are in place by latency (Shannon, 2019), and tend to be learned, ...

DSM-IV-TR Criteria
Associated Features
- These individuals may be quiet, introverted, passive, and unassertive, preferring to follow others rather than taking the lead.
- This pattern may occur with approximately equal frequency in females and males.
- Individuals with this presentation may be predisposed to developing Dysthymic Disorder and possibly Major Depressive Disorder.
Typical Beliefs
- I am always disappointed with myself and cynical about others and the future.
- I do not consider the spreading of good cheer to be among my responsibilities.
- I am not eager for authority.
- I expect those under me to take on a great deal of work.
DSM-V Changes
- Depressive Personality Disorder will be represented and diagnosed by a combination of core impairment in personality functioning and specific pathological personality traits, rather than as a speci...
- Prominent Personality Traits
- Pessimism, Anxiousness, Depressivity, Low self-esteem, Guilt/shame, Anhedonia
For More Information, Please Read
- Finnerty, T. (2009). Depressive personality disorder: Understanding current trends in research and practice. Columbus, OH: WorldWideMentalHealth.com
- Phillips, K.A., Gunderson, J.D., Triebwasser, J., Kimble, C.R., Faedda, G., Lyoo, I.K., & Renn, J. (1998). Reliability and validity of depressive personality disorder. American Journal of Psychiatr...