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The clinical disorder I will be focusing on is Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). MDD is one of the most common health conditions worldwide. MDD is characterized by persistent feelings of hopelessness, sadness, emptiness, and worthlessness, along with significant changes in sleep, appetite, and concentration that interfere with an individual’s daily functioning. Criterion B of MDD is that the symptoms must cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning (American Psychiatric Association, 2022). According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR), individuals with MDD experience symptoms for at least two weeks, though many people struggle with the condition for much longer periods of time (American Psychiatric Association, 2022). Depression can affect emotional, cognitive, and physical functioning, and as a result, it has significant implications for an individual’s quality of life, relationships, and overall well-being. MDD can increase the risk of harm to self or others, risk of suicidality due to the depressive symptoms of anhedonia, hopelessness, and low self-esteem. Thoughts of death, suicidal ideation, or suicide attempts are common (American Psychiatric Association, 2022). The prevalence of MDD exhibits substantial variation across nations, with rates twice as high in females as in males (Pizzagalli et al., 2018). Understanding the role of personality and individual differences is important when treating MDD, as these factors influence symptom development, symptom coping, and responses to treatment. Individuals vary in how they interpret stress, regulate emotions, and seek support, and these differences can influence both the severity of depressive symptoms and responses to treatment. People differ in their ways of behaving, thinking, and feeling, and it is these differences in psychological characteristics- these personality differences that are an important aspect for defining who a person is (Ashton, 2022). Because people differ in how they behave, think, and feel, personality differences can also influence how individuals experience and respond to treatment for MDD. The idea of “differences among individuals” is important because the description of an individual’s personality is meaningful only to the extent that it gives us, directly or indirectly, a comparison with others (Ashton, 2022). Recognizing these differences allows clinicians to tailor treatment approaches to best fit each individual, thereby improving treatment effectiveness and outcomes.