On the basis of Kraepelin’s and Schneider’s descriptions, Akiskal (1989) proposed formal criteria for the affective temperament types, and he and his colleagues developed interview and self-report measures of these constructs that have been applied in a number of settings and cultures (e.g., Akiskal et al. 2005). Akiskal’s work also provided the basis for including depressive temperament as a personality disorder in the DSM-IV appendix. Of the four affective temperament types, depressive temperament has been the most systematically studied in relation to nonbipolar depressive disorders. The terms “depressive temperament,” “depressive personality,” and “depressive personality disorder” have been used interchangeably in the literature to refer to the following constellation of traits: introversion, passivity, and nonassertiveness; gloominess, cheerlessness, and joylessness; self-reproach and self-criticism; pessimism, guilt, and remorse; being critical and judgmental of others; conscientiousness and self-discipline; brooding and given to worry; and feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.
