Dependent personality is characterized by an excessive need to be cared for and to be approved of by others. Women seem to be more prone to developing this disorder than men.
The causes of dependent personality disorder are thought to be the result of a combination of biological, psychological and environmental factors.
Symptoms include an excessive need for approval, difficulty making decisions, fear of abandonment, anxiety or fear in social situations, lack of self-confidence, and difficulty initiating projects or activities on their own.
Diagnosis is based on an assessment of the patient's medical and family history and psychological testing.
Treatment of dependent personality disorder includes psychotherapy, medication and group therapy.
- American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), American Psychiatric Association, 2013.
- Torgersen S. Epidemiology. In: The Oxford Handbook of Personality Disorders, Widiger TA (Ed), Oxford University Press, New York 2012. p.186.
- Disney, K. L. (2013). Dependent personality disorder: a critical review. Clinical Psychology Review, 33(8), 1184–1196. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2013.10.001
