title: Character and Temperament Dimensions in Subjects with Depressive Disorder: Impact of the Affective State on Their Expression.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The depression is a cross-cultural condition that occurs in all cultures and within all nations with certain specificities, even though there are some differences in its manifestation. The hereditary load is of major importance, but also the individual personality factors, in the form of risk factors, are associated with the occurrence of depression. Personality characteristics have a significant impact on the occurrence of the recurrent depressive disorder and the outcome of the treatment as well.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To identify the specific personality traits in people with the recurrent depressive disorder and the impact of the affective state on them.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three questionnaires were used: a general questionnaire, Beck's scale of depressive symptoms, and TCI-R (inventory for temperament and character).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most indicative differences in the dimensions are found in the Harm avoidance and the Self-direction dimensions, and most variable dimensions dependent on effective state are Novelty seeking and Reward dependence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The people with the recurrent depressive disorder have a different profile of personality traits (temperament and character) compared with the control group, and their characteristics depend on their current affective state.
authors.affiliation: University Clinic of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Ss Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia.
authors.forename: Stojan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bajraktarov
authors.affiliation: University Clinic of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Ss Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia.
authors.forename: Antoni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Novotni
authors.affiliation: University Clinic of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Ss Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia.
authors.forename: Slavica
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arsova
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Health, Global Fund, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia.
authors.forename: Dance
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gudeva-Nikovska
authors.affiliation: University Clinic of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Ss Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia.
authors.forename: Viktorija
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vujovik
keywords: character; depression; mood disorders; personality traits; temperament