Dependent Personality Disorder

Dependent Personality Disorder

Dependent personality disorder is described as a pervasive and excessive need to be taken care of that leads to submissive and clinging behavior as well as fears of separation. This pattern begins by early adulthood and is present in a variety of contexts. The dependent and submissive behaviors are designed to elicit caregiving and arise from a self-perception of being unable to function adequately without the help of others.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms, as catalogued by the DSM-5:

·        A pervasive and excessive need to be taken care of that leads to submissive and clinging behavior and fears of separation, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:

·        Has difficulty making everyday decisions without an excessive amount of advice and reassurance from others.

·        Needs others to assume responsibility for most major areas of his or her life.

·        Has difficulty expressing disagreement with others because of fear of loss of support or approval. (Note: Does not include realistic fears of retribution.)

·        Has difficulty initiating projects or doing things on his or her own (because of a lack of self-confidence in judgment or abilities rather than a lack of motivation or energy).

·        Goes to excessive lengths to obtain nurturance and support from others, to the point of volunteering to do things that are unpleasant.

·        Feels uncomfortable or helpless when alone because of exaggerated fears of being unable to care for himself or herself.

·        Urgently seeks another relationship as a source of care and support when a close re­lationship ends.

·        Is unrealistically preoccupied with fears of being left to take care of himself or herself.

Features

1.     have great difficulty making everyday decisions (e.g., what color shirt to wear to work or whether to carry an umbrella) without an excessive amount of advice and reassurance from others

2.     tend to be passive and to allow other people (often a single other person) to take the initiative and assume responsibility for most major areas of their lives

3.     often have difficulty expressing disagreement with other individuals, especially those on 

       whom they are dependent

4.     have difficulty initiating projects or doing things independently

5.     may go to excessive lengths to obtain nurturance and support from others, even to the point of volunteering for unpleasant tasks if such behavior will bring the care they need

6.     feel uncomfortable or helpless when alone, because of their exaggerated fears of being unable to care for themselves

7.     preoccupied with fears of being left to care for themselves

Treatment

People with dependent personality disorder should consider psychotherapy for treatment. Cognitive-behavioral therapy focuses on maladaptive thinking patterns, the beliefs that underlie such thinking, and resolving symptoms or traits that are characteristic of the disorder—such as the inability to make important life decisions or the inability to initiate relationships. This disorder often requires long-term therapy or treatment.
There may be other underlying conditions, so medication may be helpful. Antidepressants, sedatives, and tranquilizers are often prescribed for patients with dependent personality disorder to treat co-occurring conditions.