Characteristics of depression of chronically ill medical patients. An elaboration of personality styles.

In an earlier study, 13 distinct patterns of depression were found among 132 asthma, tuberculosis, and pain patients. The subscales of scale 2 of the Minnesota multiphasic personality inventory (MMPI) which were developed at the Massachusetts Mental Health Center were the basis for the classification via o-type cluster analysis. The present work projected these patterns to the standard three validity and ten clinical scales of the MMPI. In addition, Dirk's panic-fear and Kleiger's alexithymia scales were scored. It was demonstrated that these 13 patterns of depression had important personality correlates associated with them. A useful point of view to take in medical care of the chronically ill is also offered.