Personality Disorder: Dependent SARAH KELLY

Definition  Dependent personality disorder is characterized by a long-standing need for the person to be taken care of and a fear of being abandoned or separated from important individuals in his or her life.

Symptoms  This fear leads to clingy behavior.  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.  Feels uncomfortable or helpless when alone because of exaggerated fears of being unable to care for himself or herself.  Goes to excessive lengths to obtain nurturance and support from others, to the point of volunteering to do things that are unpleasant

Other Information  Individuals are pessimistic  Have extreme self-doubt  Similar to borderline personality disorder, but reacts differently when not having the person their attached to: borderline personality reacts with rage and aggression, while DPD reacts submissively.

Cause  Theories  An authoritarian or overprotective parenting style can lead to the development of the traits.  Biological and genetic factors: if family members have been susceptible to the disorder.  Social factors: how they interact with their parents and other children.  Psychological factors: personality and temperament, how they deal with stress.

Treatment  Long-term psychotherapy with a therapist.  Cognitive-behavioral therapy focuses on patterns of thinking.  Resolving symptoms: inability to make important life decisions.  Certain medications can be prescribed.  antidepressants, sedatives and tranquilizers.

Media and Videos  An Overview of Dependent Personality Disorder:   How a Person Acts with Dependent Personality Disorder: 

Bibliography  symptoms/ symptoms/   personality-disorder personality-disorder  personality-disorder personality-disorder