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Dependent personality disorder
Definition:
An inability to function without significant reliance on a forceful or dominant person providing direction.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The cause of this disorder is not known. The disorder usually appears in early adulthood.

Symptoms:

People with this disorder do not trust their own ability to make decisions, and feel that others have better ideas. They may be devastated by separation and loss, and they may go to great lengths, even suffering abuse, to stay in a relationship. Other symptoms include:

  • Unable to make decisions
  • Passive
  • Avoids personal responsibility
  • Avoids being alone
  • Feels devastated or helpless when relationships end
  • Unable to meet ordinary demands of life
  • Preoccupied with fears of being abandoned
  • Easily hurt by criticism or disapproval
Signs and tests:
  • History
  • Psychological evaluation
Treatment:

There is no specific treatment for this disorder. Psychotherapy may be useful in gradually helping people to make choices that affect their own life. Medication may also be helpful.
Expectations (prognosis):

Improvements are usually seen only with long-term therapy or treatment.
Complications:
  • May suffer from depression
  • May abuse alcohol or drugs
  • May be abused
Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you feel you have the symptoms of dependent personality disorder.

Call your health care provider if you cannot make a decision on your own, you choose to remain in an abusive relationship because you fear being alone, or you are using drugs or alcohol to avoid responsibility and decisions.
Review Date: 5/18/2001
Reviewed By: Christos Ballas, M.D., Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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