Dependent P.D

Dependent Personality Disorder

This is characterized by submissive clinging behavior and need to be taken care of by others even in day to day affairs.  These people lack self-confidence, are afraid that they will not be able to take care of themselves if left alone and seek direction and assistance from their parents or spouse even on minor matters.

Dependent Personality Disorder is a condition characterized by an over-reliance on others that leads to submissive and clinging behavior and fears of separation. The dependent and submissive behaviors arise from feeling unable to cope without the help of others. This disorder is only diagnosed when these behaviors become persistent and very disabling or distressing. This diagnosis should be used with great caution, if at all, in children and adolescents, for whom dependent behavior may be developmentally appropriate.

Complications of this disorder are increased risk of: depression; alcohol or drug abuse; physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. Occupational functioning is impaired if independent initiative is required. The individual avoids positions of responsibility and becomes anxious when faced with decisions. Social relations tend to be limited to those few people on whom the individual is dependent.

Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Adjustment Disorder, and other Personality Disorders (especially Borderline, Avoidant, and Histrionic) frequently co-occur with this disorder.

Prevalence: This disorder is more frequent in females, and is present in about 0.5% of the general population.

Course: It usually begins in early adulthood, and has a chronic course. Dependent behavior is very common in childhood, but most adolescents grow out of this behavior. Unfortunately, for some, this dependent behavior persists and intensifies into adulthood; thus they become diagnosed with this disorder. Chronic physical illness or Separation Anxiety Disorder in childhood or adolescence may predispose the individual to develop this disorder.

Treatment consists of a complete physical exam to identify any potential physiological abnormalities, combined with psychotherapy and medication to treat anxiety or depression. While personality disorders are best managed with long-term therapy, treatment for dependent personality disorder should be brief to avoid the creation of dependency.

Types of psychotherapy include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which addresses faulty thinking patterns and teaches healthy replacements; Dialectical Therapy that teaches actual behavioral skills to regulate feelings and create appropriate relationships; Psycho-dynamic Therapy to gain insight into why a person engages in certain behaviors; and Psycho-education to learn about the disorder itself. While dependent personality disorder is a lifetime disorder, the state of its existence is related to the degree of behavioral management.