Dependent Personality Disorder
Has Difficulty Making Decisions
Difficulty Expressing Disagreement
Personality Disorders
A personality disorder is a persistent pattern of emotions, cognitions and behavior that results in enduring emotional distress for the person affected and/or for others and may cause difficulties with work and relationships. DSM-5 divides the personality disorders into three groups or clusters. The cluster division is based on resemblance. Cluster A is called the odd or eccentric clusters; it includes paranoid, schizoid and schizotypal personality disorders. Cluster B is the dramatic, emotional or erratic cluster; it consists of antisocial, borderline, histrionic, and narcissistic personality disorders. Cluster C is the anxious or fearful cluster, it includes avoidant, dependent and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders.
Cluster 'C'
People diagnosed with cluster c personality disorders – avoidant, dependent and obsessive-compulsive - share common features with people who have anxiety disorders. It is anxious and fearful personality disorder.
Dependent Personality Disorder
People with dependent personality disorder, however, rely on others to make ordinary decisions as well as important ones, which results in an unreasonable fear of abandonment.
SYMPTOMS
- 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.
- Has difficulty initiating projects or doing things on his/her own.
- Goes to excessive lengths to obtain nurturance and support from others.
- Feels uncomfortable or helpless when alone because of exaggerated fears of being unable to care themselves.
- 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.
CAUSES
Psychological
- Early loss of caretaker (death, rejection or neglect) leads to fear of abandonment.
- Timidity and passivity
Biological
- Each of us born dependent for protection, food and nurturance.
Social / Cultural
- Agreement for the sake of avoiding conflict.
Similar to avoidant in
- Inadequacy
- Sensitivity to criticism
- Need for reassurance
For those same shared reason
- Avoidant withdraw.
- Dependents cling.
TREATMENTS
- Very little research.
- Appear as ideal clients.
- Submissiveness negates independence.
Find Treatment Program here
REFERENCE
David H. Barlow, BOSTON UNIVERSITY
V. Mark Durand, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA- ST. PETERSBERG
2. ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY: 9TH EDITION
Davision G.C., Neale, J.M. and Kring, A.M.
3. ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY
Allov. L.B.: Riskind, J.H. and Manos, M.J.
4. ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY AND MODERN LIFE. NY: Harper and Collins. 2000
Carson. R.C. and Butcher. N.J.