Cross-sectional studies have documented strong links of depressive disorders to N/NE, conscientiousness, and E/PE, although the latter effect is substantial in dysthymic disorder but only moderate in MDD. In fact, personality generally appears to play a greater role in dysthymia. None of these relations are specific, however, as anxiety disorders have very similar trait profiles. This observation argues against the continuum/spectrum model at least with regard to these broad dimensions. It may be possible to find traits that are specific to depression by targeting lower-order personality dimensions. Narrower traits may also explain the surprisingly modest link between E/PE and MDD, as some, but not other, facets of this general dimension are relevant to depression.
