Personality disorder scores improve with effective pharmacotherapy of depression.
BACKGROUND
We hypothesized that the probability of personality disorder ('PROB') predicted by the Temperament and Character Inventory ('TCI') would decline after successful pharmacotherapy of depression.


METHODS
We administered a computerized version of the TCI to 15 patients with DSM-III-R major depression, before and after treatment with serotonergic antidepressants.


RESULTS
PROB declined from 58.9% +/- 18.0% to 42.4% +/- 22.8% (P < 0.003), due to a significant increase in the Self-Directedness scale. This change in PROB correlated with improvement in self-rated severity of depression (P < 0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
TCI prediction of personality disorder is susceptible to state effects of depression.
Black
K J
KJ
Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110-1093, USA. Kevin_Black@npg.wustl.edu
Sheline
Y I
YI
D000328:Adult; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004873:Ergolines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016666:Fluvoxamine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D004873:Ergolines; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D005473:Fluoxetine; D017374:Paroxetine; C066736:amesergide; D016666:Fluvoxamine