High elevations on Self-Defeating indicate aggrieved persons who continually place themselves in situations in which they will be the victims. They present themselves as inferior, nonindulgent, self-effacing, insecure, or otherwise reluctant to accept pleasure and happiness. Somehow, pleasure is seen as something they do not deserve, and they feel that if they allow themselves to experience pleasure, further difficulties or other unpleasant consequences will follow. Anything positive is expressed with very little enthusiasm. Interpersonal relationships are characterized by these clients as servile, self-effacing, self-sacrificing, or otherwise allowing or even encouraging others to exploit or mistreat them. This active involvement in creating situations in which they will be exploited differentiates these types of persons from other depressed clients. Close relationships are usually associated with disappointments and frustrations. Those who do try to support and help them are likely to be ignored or otherwise rendered ineffectual. One purpose of this response is to make themselves weak and harmless in an effort to discourage possible criticism and aggression from others and evoke guilt instead. In addition, their public displays of dejection initially produce both sympathy and a tacit permission to avoid unpleasant responsibilities. A further purpose is to keep their self-identity organized around being shamed, humbled, and debased. They may be so absorbed in their own suffering and misery that they have few resources for appreciating the dilemmas others might be in. Although, superficially, they might be sympathetic to others, underneath they are unempathic and distrustful. They focus and ruminate on past failed relationships and disparage any personal achievements. This results in their being anxious, apprehensive, mournful, anguished, and tormented.