Depressive personality disorder

Depressive personality disorder is a psychiatric diagnosis that denotes a personality disorder with depressive features. It is a controversial disorder described in an appendix to the American Psychiatric Association's DSM-IV-TR as worthy of further study. It is not listed in the manual's personal disorder category.

Diagnostic criteria (DSM-IV-TR)
The DSM-IV-TR, a widely used manual for diagnosing mental disorders, defines Depressive personality disorder as:


 * 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:


 * usual mood is dominated by dejection, gloominess, cheerlessness, joylessness, unhappiness
 * self-concept centers around beliefs of inadequacy, worthlessness, and low self-esteem
 * is critical, blaming, and derogatory toward self
 * is brooding and given to worry
 * is negativistic, critical, and judgmental toward others
 * is pessimistic
 * 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.