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This personality disorder appears in Appendix B of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM), titled "Criteria Sets and Axes Provided for Further Study." The differential diagnoses between Depressive Personality Disorder and other depressive illnesses, such as Dysthymic Disorder are not clear.
The disorder is characterized by pervasive and continuous depressive cognitions and behaviors in various settings. Depressives are gloomy, dejected, pessimistic, overly serious, lacks a sense of humor, cheerless, joyless, and constantly unhappy. Their depression is not affected or ameliorated by favorable circumstances and events.
Inwardly, the Depressive's regards himself to be worthless, inadequate, and a loser. He has unrealistically low sense of self-worth and self-esteem that sometimes manifest as self-hatred. The Depressive unjustly and harshly chastises himself, is derogatory towards his self, blames himself for everything, and is self-critical. The Depressive's inner judge, the Superego, is sadistic, unrelenting, unforgiving, self-denigrating, and, ultimate hatefully self-destructive. No wonder the Depressive is anxious and prone to obsessive worrying and brooding.
The Depressive's masochism is matched by equal sadism. He is negativistic, passive-aggressive, critical, judgmental, and punitive towards others - after which he becomes remorseful and feels guilty. He then offers profuse and prostrate apologies only to repeat his behavior later.
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