English summary: CLUSTER C PERSONALITY DISORDERS NOT STABLE DIAGNOSES AMONG DEPRESSIVE PATIENTS

Background

Personality disorders have been regarded as stable diagnoses, and their treatment is often conceived as difficult or even unsuccessful. Nevertheless, recent studies suggest that the diagnoses of personality disorders may not be as stable as has been believed. Finnish studies on this topic are missing.

Methods

Patients with moderate depression who had been referred for psychiatric outpatient care were followed for an average of 6 years. On 6 months' follow-up, possible personality disorders were diagnosed, and on follow-up at 6 years the diagnostic interview was repeated. The level of depression and psychosocial functioning were evaluated by means of standardized scales.

Results

In the majority (88%) of depressed patients with diagnosis of cluster C personality disorder no such diagnosis could be made at 6 years of follow-up. Recovery from depression was best among those with pure depression, followed by those with temporary personality disorder, and worst in patients with stable personality disorder. The treatment received did not explain the differences. Some reduction of depressive symptoms could be detected even after the end of treatment.

Conclusions

The diagnosis of cluster C personality disorder is neither reliable nor stable if it is made during depression. In the majority of cases the disorder will disappear with recovery from depression.