What is Dependency Personality Disorder?

He Personality disorder by dependency - also called a dependent personality - is characterized by a long-term need to be cared for and a fear of being abandoned or separated from important people.

This pattern is observed in one or more of these areas:

• Cognition
• Affection
• Relationships.

It is inflexible and constant through a variety of personal and social situations.

That desire to maintain supportive personal relationships can lead the person to submission, indecision , Shyness or passivity.

In addition, people with this disorder have sensations of ineptitude and are very sensitive to criticism.

They are often pessimistic and have low self-esteem , Tend to underestimate their abilities and resources, and do not feel good about themselves.

They can avoid positions of responsibility and become anxious when they have to Face decisions .

As for the personal relationships of these people, they are usually limited to the people they are dependent on.

Main symptoms of personality disorder by dependence

Dependency personality disorder includes most of the following symptoms:

• Difficulty making decisions without advice and support from others
• Need others to take responsibility in most areas of life
• Difficulty expressing disagreement with others for fear of losing approval
• Difficulty initiating projects or doing things for themselves
• Going too far to get support from others, to the point of doing things that are unpleasant
• To feel uncomfortable in the loneliness For exaggerated fear of being unable to take care of himself
• Hypersensitivity to criticism
• Pessimism and lack of selfesteem
• Belief that they can not take care of themselves
• Put the needs of others above their own.

Epidemiology

Dependent personality disorder occurs in approximately 0.6% of the population and is more frequent in women.

A 2004 study suggests that it has a.81 heritability.

Because of this, there is sufficient evidence to state that it is often given within the same family.

Children and adolescents with a history of anxiety disorders And physical illnesses are more likely to acquire this disorder.

Causes

A 2012 study found that 2/3 of this disorder is derived from genetics while the remaining part is due to the environment.

Although the exact causes are not known, it is probably the best explanation of a biopsychosocial model: it is caused by biological, genetic, social and psychological factors.

On the other hand, some researchers believe that Educational styles Authoritarian and overprotective can guide the development of this personality disorder.

Diagnosis

Because personality disorders describe long-term and long-term behavioral patterns, they are diagnosed more often in adulthood.

It is advisable to be diagnosed by a mental health professional - psychologist or psychiatrist.

Most people with this disorder do not seek support or treatment until they begin to have a serious impact on their lives.

Diagnostic Criteria for Dependent Personality Disorder - DSM-IV

There is a general and excessive need for them to deal with one that leads to submission and attachment behavior and separation fears, beginning at the beginning of adulthood and occurring in several contexts, as indicated by one or more of the following items:

• Difficulties in making daily decisions without advice or reassurance from others.
• You need others to take responsibility in the major areas of your life.
• Difficulties expressing disagreement with others due to fear of loss of approval.
• Difficulties to start projects or to do things their way, due to lack of confidence in themselves.
• It goes too far because of its desire for protection and support, to the point of volunteering to do unpleasant tasks.
• He feels uncomfortable or helpless when alone because of his fears of being unable to take care of himself.
• When you finish an important relationship, urgently seek another relationship that provides the support and care you need.
• He is unrealistically worried for fear of being abandoned and having to take care of himself.

CIE 10

According to ICD-10, dependent personality disorder is characterized by at least 3 of the following:

• Encourage or ask others to take some of life's most important decisions.
• Subordination of own needs to those of other people of which it is dependent.
• Lack of willingness to request reasonable demands from people of whom he is dependent.
• Feelings of discomfort or helplessness when you are alone for fear of being unable to take care of yourself.
• Concern with fears to be abandoned by the person with whom you have a close relationship.
• Limited ability to make decisions in daily life without advice or reassurance from others.

Subtypes

Psychologist Theodore Millon identified 5 subtypes of personality-dependent disorder.

• Restless - with avoidance characteristics: Fear and apprehension; Vulnerability to abandonment; Solitary except for the nearby supporting figures.
• Uninterested - with masochistic characteristics: fusion with the other person, renouncing one's identity.
• Immature - variant of pure pattern: inexperienced, credulous, incapable of assuming responsibilities, childish.
• Complacent Histrionic characteristics : Docile, complacent, pleasant, submissive, anxious paper.
• Ineffective - with schizoid characteristics: inproductive, seeks life without problems, incompetence, negation to deal with difficulties.

When is it necessary to seek help?

Early adulthood is when most cases are diagnosed, although the best way to treat it is to seek help as soon as possible.

Getting help early can prevent the development of complications from this disorder (see below).

If you notice any symptoms and you are not sure, it is advisable to go to a professional.

Treatment

People with this disorder often do not seek help solve the problem Same, but to solve other problems, usually depression, anxiety or relational.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is the main treatment and your goal is to get the person to learn to be independent and to have healthy personal relationships.

It will also change the way of thinking and various behaviors that help maintain the disorder.

Specific learning can include assertiveness , Training the person to know how to communicate recognizing their rights.

Medication

It can be used if the person also suffers from anxiety or depression .

However, it should be watched carefully because the person can become addicted to medications.

References

2. Gjerde, L. C.; Czajkowski, N.; "The heritability of avoidant and dependent personality disorder assessed by personal interview and questionnaire". Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica 126 (6): 448-57. Doi: 10.1111 / j.1600-0447.2012.01862.x. PMC 3493848. PMID 22486635. Layout - Norwegian Institute of Public Health (September 24, 2012). Røysamb, E.; Ørstavik, R.E.; Knudsen, G. P.; Østby, K.; Torgersen, S.; Myers, J.; Kendler, K. S.; Reichborn-Kjennerud, T. (2012).
4. Millon, Theodore; Millon, Carrie M.; Meagher, Sarah; Grossman, Seth; Ramnath, Rowena (2004). Personality Disorders in Modern Life. Wiley. ISBN 978-0-471-66850-3.
5. Beck, Aaron T; Freeman, Arthur (1990). Cognitive Therapy of Personality Disorders. New York: Guilford Press. ISBN 978-0-89862-434-2.
6. Ekleberry, Sharon (2014). "Dependent Personality Disorder (DPD)". Treating Co-Occurring Disorders. P. 63-4. ISBN 978-1-317-82549-4.
7. Image source.