Personality disorders are grouped into one of three clusters based on common characteristics. Cluster C contains those typifying anxious, fearful behaviors.

What Is a Personality Disorder?

People with psychological personality disorders have traits that cause them to feel and behave in socially distressing ways. Depending on the specific disorder, these personalities are generally described in negative terms such as hostile, detached, needy, antisocial or obsessive (Dobbert 2007).

Classification of Personality Disorders

There are currently 10 conditions that are considered personality disorders, some of which have very little in common. Mental health professionals group those personality disorders that share characteristics into one of three clusters:

Cluster A Personality Disorders are those considered to be marked by odd, eccentric behavior. Paranoid, Schizoid and Schizotypal Personality Disorders are in this category.

Cluster B Personality Disorders are evidenced by dramatic, erratic behaviors and include Histrionic, Narcissistic, Antisocial and Borderline Personality Disorders.

Cluster C Personality Disorders are distinguished by the anxious, fearful behavior commonly seen in Obsessive-Compulsive, Avoidant and Dependent Personality Disorders.

Cluster C Personality Disorders

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

People suffering from OCPD, also called Anankastic Personality Disorder, are so focused on order and perfection that their lack of flexibility interferes their ability to get things done, and to enjoy life in general. Little is accomplished because, whatever the task, for the obsessive-compulsive, it is never good enough. These individuals become mired in detail and are often unable to see the big picture; a textbook example of not being able to see the forest for the trees.

The standards that those with OCPD set for themselves and others are impossibly high, and they are prone to damage personal relationships by being critical of those who don’t live up to their lofty ideals. There are few moral gray areas for someone with full-blown OCPD; actions and beliefs are either right or wrong, with no room for compromise. They can also be workaholics, preferring the control of working alone, as they are afraid that work completed by others will not be done correctly (Dobbert 2007).

Avoidant Personality Disorder

Those with AvPD experience an intense level of social anxiety. Extremely self-conscious, they tend to avoid social situations and gravitate to jobs that involve little interpersonal contact. Avoidants often feel inadequate or inferior to others and are hypersensitive to rejection. Unlike individuals with schizoid personality disorder, those with AvPD do crave social relationships but feel that social acceptance is unattainable (Dobbert 2007).

Dependent Personality Disorder

DPD is a psychological personality disorder characterized by neediness. Dependent personalities want to be taken care of, cling to those they depend on, and often rely on others to make decisions for them. They have a strong fear of rejection and may become suicidal when faced with a disintegrating relationship. Those with DPD require excessive reassurance and advice, and are commonly over-sensitive to criticism or disapproval.

More Information on Personality Disorders

There are numerous on-line and in print resources with additional information on personality disorders, including: Psychology Prof Online, The Mayo Clinic: Mental Health Center and the article Types of Personality Disorders: Borderline, Narcissistic, Obsessive-Compulsive & Associated Clusters.

This article is a brief summary of Cluster C personality disorders. The contents of this article are not meant to be used for diagnosis and are not a substitute for professional help and counseling.

Additional DPD Sources

American Psychiatric Association APA (2000) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR).

Dobbert, D. (2007) Understanding Personality Disorders: An Introduction. Greenwood Press.

Bornstein, R. F. (2007). Dependent Personality Disorder. American Psychological Association.

National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions - NESARC (2002) Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 65.