by Tami Port MS

Created on: September 19, 2008   Last Updated: September 18, 2009

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 Dependent Personality Disorder require excessive reassurance and advice, and are commonly over-sensitive to criticism or disapproval (Bornstein 2007).

* Diagnosis of Dependent Personality *

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,

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