In patients with depression, due to hereditary factors and the influence of the environment, personality traits with defective mechanisms of psychological defense are formed.

Sigmund Freud postulated that depression is a consequence of anger turned against oneself. Therefore, depression is characterized by self-blame and self-flagellation, which are the repression of anger at other people into the subconscious. Also, people with depression have a formed confidence that their parents do not like them. The predisposition to depression is formed at an early age. So the loss of a mother before the age of 11 is a provoking moment in the development of the disease. Patients during their life have many mental trauma, loss of loved ones. And premorbid personality traits play a role in the genesis of depression.

The predisposition to the disease is characterized by self-doubt, isolation. Depressive patients are self-critical, rely on help and support from loved ones, have a pessimistic view of life, are emotionally expressive, and do not cope well with stress.

Three personality types prone to developing depression:

· Hypothetical personality: prone to anxiety, feelings of insecurity, feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt;       

· Melancholic personality: has a desire for pedantry, constancy, increased efficiency and conscientiousness.       

· Statotimic personality: characterized by exaggerated conscientiousness, accuracy, diligence.       

Often, the main factor shaping depression is the pursuit of excellence, low self-esteem of one’s achievements and successes, and high levels of ambition.

For patients prone to depression, justice is key, and undeserved punishment can trigger a depressive episode.

The search for the meaning of life, the need for support from loved ones, the explanation of problems by external factors, the inability to relax, pride, pride, a tendency to religiosity and mysticism, a painful attitude towards money contribute to the development of depression. Patients with depression very often have alexithymia – difficulty in communicating with other people, inability to express their feelings in words. Difficulties arise when it is necessary to share their problems, get advice. Depressive disorder occurs in a person who does not receive support from people on whom he spent a lot of time and effort and expected reciprocal feelings.

 50% of patients with borderline personality disorder have major depression or bipolar disorder.

 Thus, psychological factors play a large role in the development of the disease and should be taken into account when treating depression.