Being lethargic, overweight, tearful, sad and having a lack of energy, interest or drive are all symptoms that are commonly experienced by people with depression. People with depressed personalities may or may not have clinical depression, according to Nancy McWilliams, PhD, who teaches psychoanalytic theory and therapy at the Rutgers Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (see Reference 2 below).
Still, there are positive qualities to appreciate in personalities with major depression. In McWilliams' book, "Psychoanalytic Diagnosis: Understanding Personality Structure in the Clinical Process" (The Guilford Press, 1994), she explores the theories of personality and the continuum of characteristics, including those in depressed personalities. She notes that people with depressed personalities often possess strengths. These strengths, when managed well through therapy or other coping strategies, propel people with depressed personalities toward success.
Positive Characteristics
According to McWilliams, positive characteristics of depressed personalities include:
Empathy
Sensitivity
The ability to give others the benefit of the doubt
Generosity
Intense creativity
Thoughtfulness
Compassion
A willingness to work hard to save and maintain relationships
A natural appreciation for therapy
Caution
Depressed persons often spend a great deal of time thinking through situations, enhancing analytical thinking skills and take thoughtful steps in completing tasks. Depressed personality types generally take a non-intrusive approach to interacting with others. This approach puts others at ease, and creates an atmosphere of comfort.
Famous Depressed Personalities
Famous people offer some examples of the positive characteristics of depressed personalities.
In 1969, when he set foot on the moon with Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin made history. Aldrin continues to make a mark on society at age 78 in speaking out about his personal struggles with depression and alcoholism. In an interview with National Public Radio (NPR), he spoke about life after the moon, including how addictive tendencies affected his life (see Reference 1). He stated, "I went through the magnificence of Apollo to the desolation of recovery, and I want to share those things with the rest of the world." Despite his depression, some of his many accomplishments include advocating for NASA and the future of space, designing rockets and writing books.
Consider Vincent van Gogh. According to a biography on VanGoghgallery.com (see Resources), he is considered to be one of the most accomplished and significant artists of all time. He was also considered "depressed" or "mad." While his depressive personality yielded the tragic outcome of his suicide, van Gogh is regarded as a creative genius.
Dr. Earl Henslin is a practicing psychotherapist and author of the book, "This Is Your Brain on Joy: A Revolutionary Program for Balancing Mood, Restoring Brain Health, and Nurturing Spiritual Growth," (Thomas Nelson, 2008). In his book, he cites singer Sheryl Crow who has spoken publicly about her lifelong battle with chronic depression (see Reference 3). Despite her struggles with depression, she is an award-winning recording artist whose talents and creativity have earned her major acclaim and fans around the world.
A Continuum
There is a continuum of characteristics that people with depressed personalities exhibit. For example, thoughtfulness might seem like indecisiveness. Non-intrusive interactions with others might be seen as withdrawal. Analyzing situations or experiences might also appear like obsessive behavior. According to McWilliams, most people, with or without depression, can exhibit characteristics of a depressed personality.
References
- Buzz Aldrin: Interview
- McWilliams, N. Psychoanalytic Diagnosis: Understanding Personality Structure in the Clinical Process. The Guilford Press, 1994.
- Henslin, E. This Is Your Brain on Joy: A Revolutionary Program for Balancing Mood, Restoring Brain Health, and Nurturing Spiritual Growth. Thomas Nelson, 2008.
