PERSONALITY FUNCTIONING - CHANGE AND STABILITY IN RELATIONSHIP TO SYMPTOMS AND PSYCHOPATHOLOGY

Traditional concepts of personality emphasize the relatively stable and enduring aspects of an individual's functioning. In the present article we draw attention to the clinically important fluctuations and changes in personality in many psychiatric patients, particularly those with affective and anxiety disorders, which we term personality functioning. We delineate our concept of personality functioning in relation to personality in general and to symptoms, and outline areas in which fluctuations and changes In personality traits may occur. With this concept in mind we then reevaluate studies on the stability or instability of personality traits in affective disorders, on the symptom course in major depression treated with antidepressants or psychological means, and on personality in anxiety disorders. The findings lend support to our concept. Finally, we discuss the possible clinical and theoretical implications and make suggestions for further research.