• Three groups of depressive patients (endogenous bipolar, endogenous unipolar, and nonendogenous) and one nondepressive control group displayed statistically significant differences on several personality variables when the patients were in a depression-free interval. Each of the depressive groups had stronger autodestructive-neurotic tendencies than the control group. The nonendogenous patients were overautonomous and aggressive, the endogenous unipolar patients lacked autonomy, and the endogenous bipolar patients had a hypomanic drive toward success and achievement and were anancastic and aggressive. These results were controlled for the influence of persisting symptoms of depression. They rectify generally accepted views and represent a basis for further clinical research.