Dependent Personality Disorder
Overview of the Diagnosis, Prevalence and Treatment of DPD
Sep 8, 2007
What is 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 (Bornstein 2007).
Diagnosis of DPD
There are currently 10 conditions considered to be personality disorders, some of which have very little in common. Mental health professionals typically group those PDs that share characteristics into one of three clusters. Dependent Disorder is a Cluster C Personality Disorder, a class which also contains Obsessive-Compulsive and Avoidant PD; all three distinguished by anxious, fearful behavior.
Dependent PD is only diagnosed when the characteristic behaviors are pervasive and very disabling. According to the DSM-IV-TR (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), a patient must fit at least five of the following criteria in order to be diagnosed with Dependent Personality Disorder:
- difficulty making everyday decisions without an excessive amount of advice
- needs others to assume responsibility for most major areas of his or her life
- difficulty expressing disagreement with others
- difficulty initiating projects or doing things on his or her own
- goes to excessive lengths to obtain nurturance and support from others
- exaggerated fears of being unable to care for him or herself
- urgently seeks another relationship when a close relationship ends
- preoccupied with fears of being left to take care of him or herself
Prevalence of Dependent Personality
DPD is more often found in females, and is estimated to occur in about 0.5% of the general population (NESARC 2002).
Cause, Course and Complications of Dependent PD
Cause of DPD
The cause of dependent personality disorder is not known; however it most likely involves both biological and developmental (environmental) factors. Some researchers assert that authoritarian or overprotective parenting can foster the development of dependent personality traits in those who are susceptible to the disorder (Bornstein 1993).
Course of DPD
As with many personality disorders, DPD a chronic disorder that usually becomes evident in early adulthood. Although dependent behavior is a normal part of childhood, by adulthood most individuals outgrow this type of behavior.
Complications of DPD
Those suffering from DPD are more likely to experience depression, alcohol or drug dependence and physical or emotional abuse. Dependent personalities do not typically function well in occupations requiring leadership and independent initiative. Outside of work, social relationships tend to be restricted to people on whom the individual with DPD is dependent (Bornstein 2007).
Treatment of Dependent PD
As is common with many other personality disorders, those with DPD are unlikely to seek treatment for the disorder itself. However, because of the needy and submissive nature of Dependents, it is not uncommon for them to develop depression or anxieties that may prompt them to seek help.
Psychotherapy is the main method of treating DPD, with the goal of helping the patient become more confident and independent. Focused therapy that utilizes specific goals is favored, as long-term therapy can create an additional dependent relationship, the patient on the therapist.
Medication may be used to treat the associated symptoms of depression or anxiety, but must be carefully monitored, as Dependent personalities are prone to over-reliance not only on people but also on drugs, which may result in addiction (Dobbert 2007, Bornstein 2007).
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 the personality disorder DPD. 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).
Bornstein, R. F. (2007). Dependent Personality Disorder. American Psychological Association.
Bornstein, R. F. (1993). The Dependent Personality. Guilford Press.
Dobbert, D. (2007) Understanding Personality Disorders: An Introduction. Greenwood Press.
National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions - NESARC (2002) Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 65.
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