Dependent personality disoder

DEPENDENT PERSONALITY DISORDER

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Definition

Dependent personality disorder (DPD) is a type of anxious personality disorder. People with DPD often feel helpless, submissive or incapable of taking care of themselves. They may have trouble making simple decisions. But, with help, someone with a dependent personality can learn self-confidence and self-reliance

symptoms:

People with DPD become emotionally overdependent 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: Inability to make decisions, even everyday decisions like what to wear, without the advice and reassurance of others Avoidance of adult responsibilities by acting passive and helpless; dependence on a spouse or friend to make decisions like where to work and live Intense fear of abandonment and a sense of devastation or helplessness when relationships end; a person with DPD often moves right into another relationship when one ends. Oversensitivity 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 or tasks because of a lack of self-confidence Difficulty being alone Willingness to tolerate mistreatment and abuse from others Placing the needs of their caregivers above their own Tendency to be naive and to fantasize

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causes:

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Traumatic abandonment in childhood through family circumstances or war A family history of personality disorders, depression, or anxiety Surviving childhood abuse, including stifling parenting, withdrawn parenting, or having parents who punished individual thinking Having a chronic physical illness in childhood

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treatment

Medication: No medication is approved to treat dependent personality disorder directly, but some medications like anti-anxiety drugs, antidepressants, and mood stabilizers can help control the symptoms.

Therapy: Psychotherapy is often the first line of treatment in helping you gain control over your dependent personality disorder. Cognitive behavioral therapy and other types of psychodynamic therapy can help you learn new behaviors

prevention

You may not be able to prevent DPD. But treatment can help people at risk for developing the disorder find ways to avoid or handle difficult situations. Some studies have shown that healthy relationships may help prevent the child from developing DPD later in life. If a child has even one strong relationship with a friend, parent or teacher, it can counter others’ harmful effects.

outlook

What is the outlook for someone with dependent personality disorder (DPD)? Someone with DPD can live an emotionally healthy life if they receive treatment from a mental health provider. Learning new ways to cope with difficult situations can make a difference in their overall outlook. People who don’t get treatment may be at risk for depression and anxiety. Without treatment, a person may misuse substances and develop problems such as drug addiction or alcoholism. Without treatment, people are more likely to stay in unhealthy or abusive relationships.