Dependent Personality Disorder
(Also Called 'Anxious Personality
Disorders', 'Dependent Personality Disorder', 'DPD', 'DPD (Dramatic Personality
Disorders)', 'Dramatic Personality Disorders', 'Eccentric Personality
Disorders', 'Histrionic', 'Narcissistic Personality Disorders', 'Paranoid
Personality Disorder', 'PPD (Paranoid Personality Disorder)', 'Schizophrenia',
'Schizotypal Personality Disorders')
What
is dependent personality disorder?
Dependent personality disorder (DPD)
is one of a group of conditions called anxious personality disorders, which are
marked by feelings of nervousness and fear. DPD also is marked by helplessness,
submissiveness, a need to be taken care of and for constant reassurance, and an
inability to make decisions.
DPD is one of the most frequently
diagnosed personality disorders. It appears to occur equally in men and women,
and usually appears in early to middle adulthood.
What
are the symptoms of dependent personality disorder?
People with DPD become emotionally
dependent on other people and spend great effort trying to please others.
People with DPD tend to display needy, passive, and clinging behavior, and have
a fear of separation. Other common characteristics of this personality disorder
include the following:
- Inability to make decisions,
even everyday decisions, without the advice and reassurance of others
- Avoidance of personal
responsibility; avoidance of jobs that require independent functioning and
positions of responsibility
- Intense fear of abandonment and
a sense of devastation or helplessness when relationships end; often move
right into another relationship when one ends
- Over-sensitivity to criticism
- Pessimism and lack of
self-confidence, including a belief that they are unable to care for
themselves
- Avoidance of disagreeing with
others for fear of losing support or approval
- Inability to start projects
- Difficulty being alone
- Willingness to tolerate
mistreatment and abuse from others
- Placing the needs of their
caregivers above their own
- Tendency to be naïve and to
live in fantasy
What
causes dependent personality disorder?
Although the exact cause of
dependent personality disorder is not known, it most likely involves both
biological and developmental factors. Some researchers believe an authoritarian
or overprotective parenting style can lead to the development of dependent
personality traits in people who are susceptible to the disorder.
How
is dependent personality disorder diagnosed?
If symptoms are present, the doctor
will begin an evaluation by performing a complete medical history and physical
examination. Although there are no laboratory tests to specifically diagnose
personality disorders, the doctor might use various diagnostic tests to rule
out physical illness as the cause of the symptoms.
If the doctor finds no physical
reason for the symptoms, he or she might refer the person to a psychiatrist or
psychologist, health care professionals who are specially trained to diagnose
and treat mental illnesses. Psychiatrists and psychologists use specially designed
interview and assessment tools to evaluate a person for a personality disorder.
How
is dependent personality disorder treated?
As is the case with many personality
disorders, people with DPD generally do not seek treatment for the disorder
itself. Rather, they might seek treatment when a problem in their lives—often
resulting from thinking or behavior related to the disorder—become
overwhelming, and they are no longer able to cope. People with DPD are prone to
developing depression or anxiety, and symptoms of these disorders might prompt
the individual to seek help.
Psychotherapy (a type of counseling)
is the main method of treatment for DPD. The goal of therapy is to help the
person with DPD become more active and independent, and to learn to form
healthy relationships. Short-term therapy with specific goals is preferred
because long-term therapy can lead to dependence on the therapist. Specific
strategies might include assertiveness training to help the person with DPD
develop self-confidence.
The use of medication might be used
to treat people with DPD who also suffer from depression or anxiety. However,
medication therapy must be carefully monitored because the person might become
dependent on or abuse the drugs.
What
are the complications of dependent personality disorder?
People with dependent personality
disorder are at risk for depression, anxiety disorders, and phobias, as well as
substance abuse. They are also at risk for being abused because they are
willing to do anything to maintain their relationships with their caregivers.
What
is the outlook for people with dependent personality disorder?
With treatment, many people with DPD
can experience some improvement in symptoms.
Can
dependent personality disorder be prevented?
Although prevention of the disorder
might not be possible, treatment can sometimes allow a person who is prone to
this disorder learn more productive ways of dealing with situations.
© Copyright 1995-2009 The Cleveland
Clinic Foundation. All rights reserved.
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