ABSTRACT
The DSM-IV-TR (APA, 2000) describes the depressive personality disorder (DpPD) as a pervasive pattern of depressive thinking and behavior that begins in early adulthood and is present in a variety of contexts. The disorder does not occur exclusively during episodes of major depression and is not better accounted for by dysthymia. Individuals with DpPD are described as:
Akiskal’s (1983; as noted in Phillips, Hirschfeld, Shea, & Gunderson, 1995) additional criteria for the depressive personality include:
Millon and Davis (1996) refer to DpPD as the “giving-up pattern.” These individuals see the future as dark and dangerous; in fact, they view the future as negatively as they view the present. They believe that anticipating the worst is just being realistic. They overestimate all difficulties, doubt that anything will improve, and underestimate themselves (Klein & Miller, 1993).
