Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- Part I The current model for depressive disorders and its impact on clinical management
- Part II The diagnosis and management of melancholic and psychotic depression
- Part III An introduction to non-melancholic depression
- Part IV Modelling and managing the non-melancholic depressive disorders
- 13 Acute stress-related non-melancholic depression
- 14 Acute stress-related non-melancholic depression: ‘key and lock’ model
- 15 Chronic stress-related non-melancholic depression
- 16 The perfectionist personality style and non-melancholic depression
- 17 Irritability and non-melancholic depression
- 18 Anxious worrying and non-melancholic depression
- 19 Social avoidance and non-melancholic depression
- 20 Personal reserve and non-melancholic depression
- 21 Rejection sensitivity and non-melancholic depression
- 22 Self-focused personality style and non-melancholic depression
- 23 Self-criticism and non-melancholic depression
- 24 Natural and alternative treatments for non-melancholic depression
- Appendix 1 The DMI-18 and the DMI-10
- Appendix 2 The CORE system of measuring psychomotor disturbance
- Appendix 3 The temperament and personality measure
- References
- Index
22 - Self-focused personality style and non-melancholic depression
from Part IV - Modelling and managing the non-melancholic depressive disorders
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 17 August 2009
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- Part I The current model for depressive disorders and its impact on clinical management
- Part II The diagnosis and management of melancholic and psychotic depression
- Part III An introduction to non-melancholic depression
- Part IV Modelling and managing the non-melancholic depressive disorders
- 13 Acute stress-related non-melancholic depression
- 14 Acute stress-related non-melancholic depression: ‘key and lock’ model
- 15 Chronic stress-related non-melancholic depression
- 16 The perfectionist personality style and non-melancholic depression
- 17 Irritability and non-melancholic depression
- 18 Anxious worrying and non-melancholic depression
- 19 Social avoidance and non-melancholic depression
- 20 Personal reserve and non-melancholic depression
- 21 Rejection sensitivity and non-melancholic depression
- 22 Self-focused personality style and non-melancholic depression
- 23 Self-criticism and non-melancholic depression
- 24 Natural and alternative treatments for non-melancholic depression
- Appendix 1 The DMI-18 and the DMI-10
- Appendix 2 The CORE system of measuring psychomotor disturbance
- Appendix 3 The temperament and personality measure
- References
- Index
Summary
Self-focused style
Key features of this type of personality style are a lack of consideration or tolerance for others' needs. The individual's low frustration tolerance may be related to failure, relating to their early developmental experiences, to learn how to delay immediate gratification. People who have features of this personality style may display a tendency to blame others to make sense of their feelings of distress when things go wrong, rather than shouldering blame themselves. Others may find people with these personality features unhelpful or unempathic towards them, especially at times when they require assistance. People with this personality style tend to take advantage of others' limitations and shortcomings. They may behave in ways that suggest a sense of entitlement or privilege at the expense of others' comfort or welfare, and may inappropriately disregard others when pursuing their own goals. When depressed they may become quite ‘hostile’ and provocative to those around, often having a hair trigger explosive response to having their needs frustrated.
Key features of the Self-focused Personality Style (derived from our Temperament and Personality Questionnaire):
Do not put themselves out for anyone.
Intolerant of others' wishes.
Unsympathetic to others.
Take advantage of others.
Enjoy manipulating people.
Blame others when things go wrong.
Often hostile and volatile in their interactions with others.
When distressed, people with features of this personality style commonly engage in risk-taking behaviours such as excessive drinking, smoking, or gambling.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Modelling and Managing the Depressive DisordersA Clinical Guide, pp. 193 - 201Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2005