Dependent personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive need for care and fear of separation, leading to clinging behavior and decision-making difficulties. Symptoms include emotional dependency, inability to make decisions without advice, and feelings of helplessness when alone. Treatment options encompass psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy, with various therapeutic approaches yielding positive outcomes.

1. DEPENDENT PERSONALITY
DISORDER
By- Mridusmita Bhagawati
B.Sc. 4th Sem

2. • PERSONALITY- An individual’s unique and relatively stable
patterns of behavior, thoughts and emotions.
• PERSONALITY DISORDER- Personality Disorders are a
heterogeneous group of disorders defined by long-standing,
pervasive and inflexible patterns of behavior and inner
experience that deviate from the expectations of a person’s
culture.

3. • The DSM-IV-TR personality disorders are grouped into three
clusters-
 Cluster A (odd/eccentric)
• Paranoid- Distrust and suspiciousness of others.
• Schizoid- Detachment from social relationships and restricted
range of emotional expression.
• Schizotypal- lack of capacity for close relationships, cognitive
distortions and eccentric behavior

4.  Cluster B
• Antisocial- Disregard for and violation of the rights of others.
• Borderline- Instability of interpersonal relationships, self-
image and affect, as well as marked impulsivity.
• Histrionic- Excessive emotionality and attention seeking.
• Narcissistic- Grandiosity, need for admiration and lack of
empathy.
 Cluster C
• Avoidant- Social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy and
hypersensitivity to negative evaluation.
• Dependent- Excessive need to be taken care of , submissive
behavior and fears of separation.
• Obsessive-Compulsive- Preoccupation with order, perfection
and control.

5. DEPENDENT PERSONALITY
DISORDER
• Dependent Personality Disorder is characterized by a
long-standing need for the person to be taken care of and
a fear of being abandoned or separated from their partner,
parent or other important person in their life.
• A person with dependent personality disorder may exhibit
behaviors that would keep them from moving forward in
life causing a need of constant guidance.

6. SYMPTOMS-
• Emotionally dependent, needy or clingy
• Deep fear of separation or abandonment
• Unable to make even small decisions without the advice
of others;
• Avoidance of personal responsibility;
• un

7. Diagnostic Criteria-
A pervasive and excessive need to be taken care of that
leads to submissive and clinging behavior and fears of
separation, beginning by early adulthood and present in a
variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the
following-
 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.

8.  Has difficulty expressing disagreement with others
because of fear of loss of support or approval.
 Has difficulty initiating projects or doing things on his or
her own (because of a lack of self-confidence in judgment
or abilities rather than a lack of motivation or energy)
 Goes to excessive lengths to obtain nurturance and
support from others, to the point of volunteering to do
things that are unpleasant.
 Feels uncomfortable or helpless when alone because of
exaggerated fears of being unable to care for himself or
herself.
 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.

9. • Prevalence-
present in about 0.6% of the general population
more common among women
Higher in Asian countries like India and Japan

10. TREATMENT
• PSYCHOTHERAPY- Insight-oriented therapists enable
patients to understand the antecedents of their behavior,
and with the support of a therapist, patients can become
more independent, assertive, and self-reliant.Behavioral
therapy, assertiveness training, family therapy, and group
therapy have all been used, with successful outcomes in
many cases.
• PHARMACOTHERAPY-Benzodiazepines and
serotonergic agents.
• Psychostimulants.