Comparison of temperament and character of patients with major depressive disorder with control group

Background: Depression, causes problems in social and individual aspects of life, so is the major disease burden in modern societies. There is complex relationship between personality and depression, so some special forms of personality may predispose the person to the depression, and depression and its symptoms may manifest different as a result of the various personalities. Methods: This research case control study consisted of 128 patients with major depressive disorder and 131 normal people. Data have been collected through TCI questionnaire and Hamilton scale for depression. Results: In patients with major depression the Harm-avoidance, Reward-dependence and persistence, Self-Directedness and Cooperativeness have significant differences with normal people. Patients with major depressive disorder experience high levels of Harm-avoidance and Reward-dependence and Persistence, with low levels of Self-directedness and Cooperativeness than normal people. Conclusion: The depressed patients and normal people are different with temperament and character, and these differences can influence severity of depression.