There are several different ways of characterizing depression. One of the most popular contemporary schemes identifies two basic depression subtypes: anaclitic and introjective. Anaclitic depression is associated with borderline personality disorder, and characterized by disturbance in interpersonal relationships, while introjective depression is most often associated with self criticism and guilt. In the following pages, the intention is to examine some of the research about these two subtypes.
There is some disagreement about the validity of the constructs, and particularly about the association of anaclitic depression with borderline issues. The research provides mixed evidence.
Blatt and Felsen (1993) provided a good overview of the model itself and the different characteristics associated with it. They presented a model of two different personality styles and psychopathologies that they termed the anaclitic and the introjective.
According to them, the anaclitic style developed from insecure attachment during early childhood and was characterized by feelings of extreme threat on separation from the beloved object in later life. Interpersonal relations were quite disturbed and the individual felt lack of wholeness upon separation.
On the other hand, the introjective style, and psychopathology, was characterized by high standards, extreme self criticism and self blame, and intense internalized guilt and feelings of failure. They noted that these two types of functioning required two different kinds of treatment. Their conclusion was that depressed patients with higher levels of social functioning do better with interpersonal therapy, while those depressed patients with higher cognitive functioning, do better with cognitive behavioral therapy.
Blatt et al. (1993) further developed the model and connected it with immunological functioning. According to the authors, anaclitic, or dependent, personality style ...