Patients with unipolar depression are often self-critical, conscentious, hard-working, socially well integrated persons, who however, also tend to uncertainty about maintaining this high level of value achievement.

These personality features can also be considered as vulnerability factors. Factors which can play a part in the pathogenesis and the recurrency risk of unipolar depression. Cognitive psycho-therapy aimed at modifying these vulnerability factors can play a role in preventing de novo affective episodes. Results of cognitive therapy during a depressive episode can only be expected in moderate depressive patients.

In more severe unipolar depression therapy based on biological-psychiatric principles, is still the first choice.