Personality profiles of dysthymic disorder.
Date
1991
Authors
Korb, Frans August
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The motivation for undertaking this study stems from the
confusion that reigns in the literature regarding the
relationship between personality, personality traits and
dysthymic disorder. A large body of theorists ancl
researchers still claim a definite association between
dysthymia and personality. Their views arose to an
extent from the concept of dysthymia as it developed
through the past few decades. Dysthymia grew out of the
concept of depressive neurosis which had a stronger basis
in personality pathology. other terms like neurotic
depression and depressive reaction preceded depressive
neurosis.
with the advent of DSM-III and DSM-III-R, dysthymia was
moved from the neuroses to the mood disorders category.
The DSM-IV Mood Disorders Work Group has also reinforced
the classification of dysthymia with mood disorders.
The Work Group has embarked on research to determine the
symptomatology that should be used for the diagnosis of
dysthymia. It is proposed that cognitive, functional and
vegetative symptoms be included in DSM-IV to further
entrench dysthymia as an affective disorder and
extricate it from the personality disorders.
Description
A Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Medicine in
part fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of
Master of Medicine in Psychiatry at the University of the
Witwatersrand.
Keywords
Depressive Disorder., Personality.