Does major depression result in lasting personality change

Objective: Individuals with a history ofdepression are characterized by high levels of certain personality traits, particularly neuroticism, introversion, and interpersonal dependency. The authors examined the “scar hypothesis, “ i. e. , the possibility that episodes of niajor depression result in lasting personality changes that persist beyond recovery from the depression. Method: A large sample offirst-degree relatives, spouses, and comparison subjects ascertained in connection with the proband sample from the National Institute ofMental Health Collaborative Program oiz the Psychobiology ofDepression were assessed at two points in time separated by an interval of 6 years. Subjects with a prospectively observed first episode of major depression during the interval were compared with subjects remaining well in terms of change f roni time 1 to time 2 in self-reported personality traits. All subjects studied were well (had no mental disorders) at the tinie of both assessments. Results: There was no evidence of negative change from premorbid to postmorbid assessment in any ofthe personality traits for subjects with a prospectively observed first episode ofmajor depression during the interval. The results suggested a possible association of number and length of episodes with increased levels of emotional reliance and introversion, respectively. Conclusions: The findings suggest that selfreported personality traits do not change after a typical episode of major depression. Future studies are needed to determine whether such change occurs following more severe, chronic, or recurrent episodes of depression. (AmJ Psychiatry 1996; 153:1404-1410)