Antisocial Personality Disorder	Avoidant Personality Disorder
Borderline Personality Disorder	Dependent Personality Disorder
Narcissistic Personality Disorder	Obsessive-Compulsive Personality
Paranoid Personality Disorder	Schizoid Personality Disorder
Schizotypal Personality Disorder	Personality Disorders Home
Histrionic Personality Disorder

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Individuals with dependent personality disorder show extreme dependence on other people, particularly the need to be taken care of, which leads to clinging and submissive behavior. They tend to be overly sensitive to criticism and are preoccupied with fears of rejection and abandonment. They may be devastated at the end of a close relationship or by the prospect of living on their own. They are often preoccupied with a fear of being left to take care of themselves, and if one relationship ends they often will seek out a new one with great urgency.

These individuals usually build their lives around other people and subordinate their own needs or views to keep these people involved with them, often leading to indiscriminate selection of mates. They may remain in psychologically or physically abusive relationships, submitting to activities that are degrading and humiliating in an attempt to hang on to the approval they feel they need. They have great difficulty making even simple everyday decisions without a great deal of advice and reassurance, and passively allow other people to take over the major decisions in their lives.

It is quite common that individuals with this disorder have a cormorbid diagnosis of an anxiety disorder, and those with eating disorders often display symptoms of dependent personality disorder as well. This disorder is diagnosed more frequently in women than in men.

Diagnostic Criteria for Dependent Personality:

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:

(1) has difficulty making everyday decisions without an excessive amount of advice and reassurance from others

(2) needs others to assume responsibility for most major areas of his or her life

(3) has difficulty expressing disagreement with others because of fear of loss of support or approval.
Note: Do not include realistic fears of retribution.

(4) 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)

(5) goes to excessive lengths to obtain nurturance and support from others, to the point of volunteering to do things that are unpleasant

(6) feels uncomfortable or helpless when alone because of exaggerated fears of being unable to care for himself or herself

(7) urgently seeks another relationship as a source of care and support when a close relationship ends

(8) is unrealistically preoccupied with fears of being left to take care of himself or herself

Treatment of Dependent Personality:

Short term psychotherapy is generally the preferred method of treatment for individuals with dependent personality disorder. The individual is very likely to become dependent on the therapy sessions and on the therapist. Short term therapy, with strict limits on time and well established goals, is usually most effective.

Dependent personalities are often given assertiveness training and encouraged to express their individuality. Comorbid disorders, such as panic disorder, must be addressed and treated. Medications commonly prescribed to treat the symptoms of depression or anxiety that occur with this disorder should be used with caution to prevent dependency or abuse.

Personal Stories of Dependent Personality:

If you would like to share your story of living with this disorder, or if you are a loved one of dependent individual and would like to tell your tale - please email me and I will include it on this page.