Dependant personality disorder is Dependent personality disorder is a psychiatric condition marked by an over reliance on other people to meet one’s emotional and physical needs.

1. Dependent personality disorder
Definition
 Dependent personality disorder is characterized by an excessive need to be taken care of
or depend upon others. Persons with this disorder are typically submissive and display
clinging behavior toward those from whom they fear being separated.
 Dependent personality disorder is a psychiatric condition marked by an overreliance on
other people to meet one’s emotional and physical needs.
MILLON’S Subtype
According to Theodore Million’s, There are five sub type of Dependent Personality
Disorder. These are:
 Disquieted Dependent
o Including avoidant features
 Accommodating Dependent
o Including masochistic features
 Immature Dependent
o Variant of pure pattern
 Ineffectual Dependent
o Including schizoid features
 Selfless Dependent
o Including depressive features
Symptom
People with this disorder do not trust their own ability to make decisions and feel that others
have better ideas. They may be devastated by separation and loss, and they may go to great
lengths, even suffering abuse, to stay in a relationship. Other symptoms include:
 Difficulty making decisions without reassurance from others
 Extreme passivity

2.  Problems expressing disagreements with others
 Avoiding personal responsibility
 Avoiding being alone
 Feelings of helplessness when alone
 Devastation or helplessness when relationships end
 Unable to meet ordinary demands of life
Causes
Researchers today don’t know what causes dependent personality disorder. There are many
theories, however, about the possible causes of dependent personality disorder. Most
professionals subscribe to a bio psychosocial model of causation — that is, the causes of are
likely due to biological and genetic factors, social factors (such as how a person interacts in their
early development with their family and friends and other children), and psychological factors
(the individual’s personality and temperament, shaped by their environment and learned coping
skills to deal with stress). This suggests that no single factor is responsible — rather, it is the
complex and likely intertwined nature of all three factors that are important. If a person has this
personality disorder, research suggests that there is a slightly increased risk for this disorder to be
“passed down” to their children.
Diagnosis
Dependent personality disorder is diagnosed based on a psychological evaluation that
assesses the history and severity of the symptoms.
Age At onset
The disorder usually appears in early adulthood and Adolescence.
Sex Ratio
More in female
Prevalence
Dependent personality disorder occurs in about 0.6% of the general population.

3. Dependent personality disorder treatment
Counseling tends to be an effective form of dependent personality disorder treatment, and
approaches used include cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy - depending on
what works best for the client. Although people who suffer from this cluster C personality
disorder appear to be compliant with most suggestions for treatment, this compliance may be a
symptom of the disorder itself. As a result, sufferers can be more difficult to treat than initially
thought.
Below is a guide to some of the most commonly used counseling approaches to help treat
dependent personality disorder.
Psychodynamic therapy
Psychodynamic therapy is an approach that is established on the belief that adult behavioral
patterns are connected to negative childhood experiences. These childhood experiences create a
belief pattern that stays with the individual through their adult life. Individuals with dependent
personality disorder can benefit from group and individual psychodynamic psychotherapy
sessions.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy aims to change the way we think (cognition) and our behavior to
treat personality disorders. A therapist will analyses and discuss negative thought patterns, how
they affect daily life and will try to change them for the better. For the behavioral approach, the
therapist will examine the harmful behaviors and will help the sufferer understand why they
happen and most importantly give advice on how they can change them.
Interpersonal therapy
Interpersonal therapy focuses on how mental health issues can affect relationships. After an
initial assessment in the early sessions, together with a therapist the interpersonal issues will be
identified and ranked in order of importance. Then the aim will be to develop a set of
adjustments, and how to implement them in daily life. This type of therapy is best suited to
people that have been diagnosed with dependent personality disorder, as the therapy is very
targeted and usually lasts between 12 and 16 sessions.
Group therapy
Group therapy can be helpful for socially remittent people who lack decision-making skills and
have problems being assertive. The group dynamic may be more effective for highlighting and
treating insecurities than a one-to-one session by encouraging people to talk about their issues
with others in similar situations.
Family or couples counseling
Young adults with dependent personality disorder are usually brought to family therapy by their
parents. The aim of this is to tend to the family relationship when all members are in the same

4. room, as there can be resistance if not all of the family is present. This type of therapy
encourages family members to empathize with and help each other. It presents the opportunity to
build on family strengths and make positive changes in their lives and relationships.
Couples counseling on the other hand can help reduce anxiety in the relationship if either partner
is displaying intense dependency on the other. Even though a lot of the counseling will be done
in session, ‘homework’ will be set, which usually consists of a task or a discussion for when the
couple gets home. This is then talked about in the next session to help build or repair the
relationship.
References
American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 4th
edition, text revised. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association, 2000.
Read more: http://www.minddisorders.com/Del-Fi/Dependent-personality-
disorder.html#ixzz3jvUAOscF
Millon, Theodore, Ph.D., D.Sc. Disorders of Personality: DSM IV and Beyond. New York: John
Wiley and Sons, Inc., 1996.
Read more: http://www.minddisorders.com/Del-Fi/Dependent-personality-
disorder.html#ixzz3jvUHTann