What is Depressive Personality Disorder?

Depressive personality disorder is medically defined as a persisting pattern of depressive behaviors and thoughts, generally beginning at early adulthood. Many symptoms other than just sadness, such as guilt and low-self esteem, are common among patients who suffer from this condition. Such patients may show signs of neuroticism, introversion, and obsession in their personal interests. There is some criticism in the medical community regarding whether depressive personality disorder should be classified as its own condition or as a symptom of other personality disorders. Medication and therapy are frequently used to treat this disorder.

There is more to depressive personality disorder than unhappiness and feeling "down." Severely low self-esteem, low self-worth, inadequacy, and persistent feelings of guilt or remorse are common symptoms of this disorder. Patients also tend to be pessimistic, negative, and constantly critical in nature. Criticism and negative feelings may be directed at one's self, at others, and toward life in general. Frequent feelings of anxiety and worry are also very common.

Neurotic symptoms are often observed in those who suffer from depressive personality disorder as well. Patients may have a lack of self control, easily giving into impulses such as gambling, over eating, using drugs and alcohol, or acting promiscuously. They might seem difficult to reason with and irrational. Derogatory feelings and an inability to accept outside viewpoints may be expressed in their everyday conversation. Despite these social handicaps, they may also show signs of neediness and a deep dependency on other people to maintain any semblance of emotional balance.

Introversion is often displayed as a result of an inability to properly make social connections. Patients with depressive personality disorder tend to feel starkly different and out of place in a public setting. They may, as a result, delve obsessively into their own interests, work, and creative outlets. As perfectionists and over-achievers, they may show little to no general spontaneity.

Depressive personality disorder is prone to some debate within the medical community. Some question the disorder's validity. Certain experts classify it as a subtype of a long-term depressive disorder called dysthymia. Others claim that, even when dysthymia is present, depressive personality disorder may still be a condition of its own right.

Medications may be prescribed to help the brain balance its neurotransmitters and endorphins, which could reduce the severity of depressive personality disorder symptoms. No drugs, however, can cure the disorder. Behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, and group therapy have all been implemented for this and other personality disorders. These therapies require a long period of time before showing clear signs of effectiveness, sometimes up to several years.