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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:

1. usual mood is dominated by dejection, gloominess, cheerlessness, joylessness, unhappiness
2. self-concept centers around beliefs of inadequacy, worthlessness, and low self-esteem
3. is critical, blaming, and derogatory toward self
4. is brooding and given to worry
5. is negativistic, critical, and judgmental toward others
6. is pessimistic
7. 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.

References

• American Psychiatric Association (2000). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) (4th ed., text revision). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.
• Finnerty, Todd (2009). Depressive Personality Disorder: Understanding Current Trends in Research and Practice. Columbus, OH: WorldWideMentalHealth.com