Personality profiles of patients with dysthymic and panic disorder.

Background: The research objective was to identify personality characteristics as well as similarities between, and differences in personality profiles of persons suffering from Dysthymic (DD) and Panic Disorder (with/without Agoraphobia) (PD/PDA).

Subjects And Methods: Three groups (N=120) were analysed: DD, PD/PDA, and a healthy control group, matched by socio-demographic characteristics and classified in sub-groups according to gender. Diagnoses were made using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV DD and PD/PDA, and the personality assessment was made using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory 201 (MMPI-201).

Results: MMPI-201 profile of DD and PD/PDA groups has been characterised by a global increase of "neurotic triad" scales (Depression-Hypochondriasis-Hysteria) (D-Hs-Hy), more expressed in the DD group. Sub-groups of women and men with DD, when compared to the healthy control group, have a significant (p<0.01) increase on the F, Hs, D, Pd, Pa, Pt and Sc scales, and sub-groups with PD/PDA a significant (p<0.01) increase on the F, Hs, D, Hy, Pa, Pt and Sc scales. Scores on the F, D, Hy, Hs, Pt, and Sc scales were significantly higher (p<0.05), as well as on the scale Pa (p<0.01) in men suffering from DD than in the PD/PDA sub-group. Women suffering from DD, when compared to the PD/PDA women, showed a significant increase (p<0.05) on the F and Hy scales.

Conclusion: Personality profiles of persons suffering from DD and PD/PDA are very similar, with differences being more dimensional than qualitative. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings have been discussed.