Understanding Dependent Personality Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, And Treatment
Most of us depend on others to have our needs met from time to time.
Relying on friends and family members can be a healthy way of participating in relationships and showing trust in your loved ones. For some people, though, this reliance becomes excessive and can signal the existence of a mental health condition known as dependent personality disorder (DPD).
DPD can cause an individual to experience anxiety and fear around the idea of being alone or not having someone to rely on. In this article, we’re covering dependent personality disorder—its symptoms, causes, and treatment methods.
What is dependent personality disorder?
Dependent personality disorder (DPD) is a mental health condition in which an individual relies on others to meet their needs to an extreme extent. Dependent personality disorder may cause an individual to seek approval from, develop strong attachments to, and depend on other people in their life.
DPD is a cluster C personality disorder, meaning it is characterized by anxiety and fearful thinking. Dependent personality disorder is thought to affect approximately 0.6-0.7% of the population. DPD can significantly impact an individual’s relationships, self-esteem, and emotional well-being.
Symptoms of DPD
Someone who lives with dependent personality disorder may form unhealthy attachments with certain people in their life. They may have a strong desire to be cared for by others, fear separation from the subject of their attachment, and frequently exhibit people-pleasing tendencies. The symptoms of DPD may cause them to struggle with self-reliance. Dependent personality disorder typically becomes identifiable during childhood or adolescence.
The following are common symptoms of DPD:
Sensitivity when criticized
Anxiety
Trouble making decisions, even small ones
Frequently looking to others for advice and reassurance
Fear of abandonment
Frequently moving from one relationship to another
Lack of self-confidence
Difficulty being left alone
Avoidance of personal responsibility
Avoidance of confrontation
Pessimism
Trouble getting started on projects
What causes DPD?
There is no unified theory of the cause of dependent personality disorder. However, certain factors are thought to increase the likelihood of developing the condition, including:
Growing up with overprotective or authoritarian parents
Experiencing relationship abuse
A history of neglect
Family history of anxiety disorders
Experiencing a chronic physical illness
Having childhood anxiety
If you or a loved one is experiencing abuse, contact the Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Support is available 24/7.
How is DPD diagnosed?
If you have some of the symptoms of DPD, you may be concerned about what your next steps are for getting help. Like other personality disorders and anxiety disorders, DPD is treatable.
The first step in getting diagnosed may be to talk to your primary care physician. Some of the symptoms of DPD, such as anxiety, can be caused by physical issues as well. Your doctor can run tests, such as blood work, to rule out any physical health concerns and then, if they believe you’re living with a condition like DPD, provide you with a diagnosis or refer you to a mental health specialist.
DPD treatment options
While dependent personality disorder can be challenging, with proper treatment, you can build healthier connections with others and learn to meet your needs on your own. The following are common methods of managing DPD.
Therapy
Psychotherapy is a common treatment modality for dependent personality disorder. Therapy can help you identify the sources of your dependency, address the emotions it can produce, and work through comorbid mental health conditions, if necessary. A therapist can help you learn how to be more self-sufficient and interact with others in healthier ways.
Because many people with DPD defer to the advice and help of others, though, an increased reliance on a therapist to provide support can become a concern. If this is something that you struggle with, your therapist might take the approach of using psychotherapy on a short-term basis to help you make positive changes and experience relief from your symptoms, without becoming dependent on therapy.
Medication
While medication is not usually the first form of treatment recommended, there are some instances when it can be helpful. For example, for those who experience panic attacks related to DPD, anti-anxiety medication may be prescribed. Always consult with a healthcare professional prior to starting or stopping any medication.
Coping strategies for DPD
In addition to the above forms of treatment, there are several techniques you can incorporate into your daily life to address DPD.
Identify codependent behavior
If you have DPD and depend heavily on someone in your life, there’s a chance that they could struggle with codependency. While you may be the one depending on them, they also may feel like they’re benefiting from being the person on whom you depend. Identifying this behavior can help you and a loved one make changes and find healthier ways of supporting each other.
If you have a loved one who has been diagnosed with DPD, it can also be important to consider whether you struggle with codependency. To help your loved one with their treatment, it may be helpful for you to address this in yourself as well. If you feel that you are struggling with overcoming codependency, talking to a therapist could help you and your loved one develop a more independent and constructive relationship. Joint counseling can also be an effective way for someone with DPD and their loved one to address codependency.
Create a supportive environment
When you’re trying to overcome anxiety surrounding needing the approval of others and struggling to make decisions on your own, it can be beneficial to be in a supportive environment. It may help you take the necessary steps forward if you feel comfortable that those around you will support you in the efforts that you’re making.
Try to talk to your loved ones about your feelings so that they can help you become more self-sufficient. They may be able to look for ways to support and encourage you as you take steps to make decisions for yourself. If you notice that the people around you are dictating what’s happening in your life, try to step in and ask for more autonomy. Again, working with a mental health professional can help you work through these challenges together.
Practice decision making
If you’re working on overcoming the symptoms of DPD, one thing you may want to practice is decision making. This is something that a therapist can help you make progress with, but it’s also something that can practice on your own. It can be helpful to start with small things like choosing what you’re going to wear for the day without asking anyone for their opinion or deciding where to go for dinner.
If your partner struggles with DPD, try to provide them with opportunities to make decisions. And then support them in their decision. This can give them the confidence to become more self-reliant and decisive in the future.
Self-reliance through online therapy
Research suggests that online therapy can help individuals navigate the symptoms of personality disorders. In a review of 11 studies examining the efficacy of online therapy for personality disorders, researchers found that symptoms improved in every study in which changes were reported. The review also mentions the ability of online therapy platforms to bridge the treatment gap that exists in mental health care.
Online cognitive behavioral therapy offers the opportunity to work through symptoms of dependent personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, or other personality disorders with a licensed therapist at a time and place convenient for you. Utilizing an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, you can address dependency concerns remotely, through video call, voice call, or in-app messaging. You can also reach out to your therapist outside of sessions, allowing you to ask questions about becoming more self-reliant and independent anytime. Your therapist may also teach you skills that lead to long-term improvement after therapy.
Takeaway
What are the symptoms of DPD?
Dependent personality disorder (DPD) is characterized by an excessive reliance on the support and care of others, leading to the fear of abandonment and clinging behavior. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-V), this need for care must be evidenced by at least five out of the following eight symptoms:
- Trouble with decision-making, absent input from others
- Shifting responsibility to others
- Trouble engaging in disagreements with others
- Needing help from others with undertakings
- Taking extreme action to garner attention and care from others
- Apprehension about being alone due to a perceived lack of competency
- Strong desire to begin new relationship following dissolution of prior relationship
- Excessive concern about being abandoned
What is the difference between DPD and BPD?
Though dependent personality disorder (DPD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD) have many symptoms, they also have key differences. As with DPD, individuals with BPD are often fearful of being abandoned and can experience challenges in close relationships. Additionally, both disorders are typically caused by early stressful or traumatic events, such as emotional abuse.
Those with BPD, however, often experience drastic changes in mood, which are typically not present in DPD. Additionally, they often have trouble developing a stable sense of self. Also, someone with BPD may experience intense conflicts in their relationships, while those with DPD will typically avoid such tension.
Unlike BPD, DPD is usually characterized by an individual’s need for support from other people in their life, difficulty making decisions on their own, and desire to shift responsibility to others.
What is the difference between bipolar and DPD?
Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder characterized by alternating episodes of depression and mania. During periods of depression, an individual may experience low mood, fatigue, trouble focusing, and anhedonia. During periods of mania, however, they typically experience an elevated mood, increased energy levels, delusions of grandeur, and irritability.
Dependent personality disorder (DPD) is a personality disorder marked by a fear of abandonment and a need to be cared for by others. Someone with dependent personality disorder may desire constant reassurance and help from loved ones, potentially going as far as performing unpleasant tasks to gain support. They might also need help making everyday decisions and completing simple chores.
As with bipolar disorder, people with dependent personality disorder can experience depression. However, the disorders are fundamentally different and have very few similarities. Unlike DPD, disorders that are characterized as mood disorders do not typically center around an individual’s relationships. Additionally, those with DPD generally do not experience the intense mood fluctuations that are characteristic of bipolar disorder.
Can DPD be cured?
While dependent personality disorder (DPD) cannot be cured, its symptoms can be managed through proper care. DPD is often treated through psychotherapy, which can provide emotional support and help participants become more self-reliant. Common forms of therapy for DPD include cognitive behavioral therapy and psychodynamic therapy.
Is DPD a mental disorder?
Dependent personality disorder (DPD) is a mental disorder. It is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-V), under the C cluster of personality disorders, which also includes avoidant personality disorder and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.
Is DPD inherited?
The personality traits that contribute to dependent personality disorder (DPD) are thought to be highly heritable. Twin studies show that cluster C personality disorders—the group to which DPD belongs—have a strong genetic component, with a heritability of approximately .62. DPD is thought to also be caused by stressful experiences, such as childhood trauma.
Who can diagnose DPD?
Generally, dependent personality disorder (DPD) will need to be diagnosed by a mental health professional. Often, this will be a psychiatrist or another mental health provider with experience treating personality disorders and similar mental health conditions. Typically, they will perform screenings to learn more about the individual’s symptoms, in addition to using medical evaluations to rule out other potential causes. Diagnoses are often provided based on the criteria for DPD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5).
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