title: The overlap between personality disorders and major depressive disorder (MDD).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Research studies have focused attention on the importance of the comorbidity of personality disorders and depression.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present review examines seven potential explanations for the overlap to clarify the nature of the relationship, if any, between depression and personality disorder diagnoses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There may be many explanations for the potential overlap of personality disorders (PD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). For example, the distinction between states and traits may not be as clear and definitive as suggested in the DSM-IV. In some cases, depression may influence personality pathology, and may even lead to personality disorders. In other cases, personality disorders may lead to MDD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further research may clarify the nature of the relationship, if any, between depression and personality disorder diagnoses, as well as the relationship between comorbidity and treatment response.
authors.affiliation: The Depression Clinical and Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA. afarabaugh@partners.org
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Farabaugh
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mischoulon
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fava
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Guyker
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Alpert
mesh_terms: D015897:Comorbidity; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D006801:Humans; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors