Psychiatry & Psychotherapy Podcast Depressive Personality Style with Jonathan Shedler
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May 23, 2025 
Dr. Jonathan Shedler, a psychologist known for his work on depressive personality styles, engages in a thought-provoking discussion about how these styles differ from clinical depression. He emphasizes the role of childhood experiences in shaping self-criticism and emotional struggles. Through role play, they illustrate how dynamics like self-blame and guilt manifest in therapy. Shedler also shares insights on addressing suppressed emotions and creating an inclusive environment for healing, highlighting the subtle yet powerful role of micro-expressions in therapeutic settings.
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Core Features of Depressive Personality
- Depressive personality style features internalized self-criticism, unconscious guilt, and suppressed anger despite outward success.
- Patients often neglect their own needs, idealize others, and turn frustration inward as guilt or self-blame.
Hidden Struggles Behind Success
- People with depressive personality appear successful and empathic but inhibit pleasure and suppress anger.
- They please others at their own expense, often recreating these patterns in therapy.
Role Play of Depressive Patient
- David Puder role-plays a patient revealing deep-seated guilt and neglect about his troubled childhood.
- The narrative shows how early experiences shape depressive personality traits into adulthood.