On the basis of the intensive psychotherapy of about 40 depressed
patients over the course of two decades, the authors describe three
premorbid types of depressive personality: 1) one based on a "dominant
other" relationship, 2) one based on a "dominant goal," and 3) one that is
a form of character structure or personality disorder. They also describe
typical childhood experiences of depressive adults and discuss their theory
of the nature of depression as a human experience. They characterize
depression as a limitation of alternate ways of thinking and as
self-inhibition from new experiences.Abstract Teaser