Dependent personality disorder (DPD) is a long-term pattern of relying on others to meet your emotional and physical needs. People with DPD may feel helpless, submissive, or incapable of taking care of themselves. They may have trouble making simple decisions.
The following are some of the characteristic symptoms of dependent personality disorder:
Need for excessive reassurance
People with DPD often feel the need to be reassured that they are loved and cared for. They may constantly seek out reassurance from others, even about things that they know are true.
Fear of abandonment
People with DPD have a strong fear of being abandoned or left alone. This fear can be so intense that it can interfere with their daily life. For example, they may avoid making new friends or taking risks for fear of losing the support of their current relationships.
Inability to make decisions
People with DPD often have difficulty making decisions on their own. They may need the advice or approval of others before making even the smallest decisions.
Passivity and submissiveness
People with DPD tend to be passive and submissive in their relationships. They may allow others to make decisions for them and may have difficulty standing up for themselves.
Avoidance of responsibilities
People with DPD may avoid taking on responsibilities, even those that they are capable of handling. They may prefer to have others take care of things for them.
Oversensitivity to criticism
People with DPD are often very sensitive to criticism. They may take even constructive criticism personally and may become defensive or withdrawn.
Treatment
There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for dependent personality disorder, but therapy is often helpful. Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can help to challenge negative thoughts and beliefs about oneself. People may also benefit from learning relaxation techniques or assertiveness training.
With treatment, people with dependent personality disorder can learn to become more independent and self-sufficient. They can learn to trust their own judgment and make decisions on their own. They can also learn to set boundaries and stand up for themselves.