Is self-criticism unique for depression? A comparison with social phobia

Background: This study further examined the diagnostic specificity of the s elf-critical personality dimension, as measured by the Depressive Experienc es Questionnaire (DEQ; Blatt et al., 1976. The Depressive Experiences Quest ionnaire. Yale University Press, New Haven). Methods: Patients with major d epression (n = 26) were compared to social phobia patients (It = 32). Resul ts: Depressed patients scored significantly higher on the DEQ Self-Criticis m dimension. However, when current level of depressed mood was controlled f or, self-criticism was not a significant predictor of diagnostic status. Fu rther, the level of DEQ self-criticism reported by patients with social pho bia was almost three times greater than the level reported in an earlier di agnostic specificity study with panic disorder patients [Bagby et al., 1992 . Diagnostic specificity of the dependent and self-critical personality dim ensions in major depression. J. Affect. Disord. 26, 59-64]. Limitations: On ly one measure of self-criticism was used in this study, and the research d esign was cross-sectional rather than prospective. Conclusions: Self-critic ism is not unique to major depression, and this personality dimension may b e implicated in other forms of psychopathology [Blatt, 1991. A cognitive mo rphology of psychopathology. J. Nerv. Ment. Dis. 179, 449-458]. Some cognit ive features believed to play an important role in depression may also be s alient in persons with social phobia. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All ri ghts reserved.