On Anxiety Connection I wrote about anxious personality types and it got me to wondering if there are personality types which are more prone to depression. And indeed there are. Just remember that when it comes to personality traits everyone is on a continuum. It is rare that any individual will be on the extreme end of any personality scale. There are also no studies which conclusively prove that having a certain type of personality will cause depression. The best we can say is that there is sometimes an association between certain personality traits and mood disorders.

Here are three personality types possibly more at risk for developing depression. Tell us if you see yourself in any of the following descriptions.

1. The Isolated Introvert

Although you enjoy the company of some carefully chosen others, you often crave alone time and even isolation to re-group and re-energize. Too much socializing with others can leave you feeling emotionally drained. You may experience social anxiety or even panic attacks related to social exposure. You much prefer the company of one person as opposed to being in a group. You are seldom bored because you have so many things going on inside your head to occupy your attention. Your tendency to stay in your head and your avoidance of social situations can make it difficult for anyone to try to help you if you become depressed. You may openly resist efforts to get you to reach out and communicate with others when you are feeling down.

What the literature says:

There are quite a few studies which show that introverts suffer more from depression than our more extraverted counterparts. For example, Dr. David S. Janowsky of the University of North Carolina conducted a 2002 study where he found a preponderance of introverts (74%) in a depressed population.  And in a 2001 article in Current Psychiatry Reports, Dr. Janowsky cites scientific research to support his conclusion that increased introversion predicts the persistence of depressive symptoms and a lack of remission.

Goal for this personality type:

Since greater isolation can deepen an already existing depressive episode it is critical that despite your introverted tendencies, you do seek out support and human connection. A trusted therapist can help you learn how to develop and sustain interpersonal relationships with others.


2. The Overachieving Perfectionist

Your greatest wish is to be perfect in some way. You may have learned to be a perfectionist by one of your parents. You are highly self-critical and intolerant of making any mistakes. You take every criticism to heart and turn it into a personal affront. You beat yourself up for never being good enough despite doing your best even to the point of physical and mental exhaustion. Self esteem is highly conditional upon external measures. You have much anxiety over what others may think of you and your possible imperfections. You constantly suffer from disappointment as life seldom lives up to your lofty expectations.