Dependent Personality Disorder

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Dependent Personality Disorder

• Jessica Leonardi
• Test and Measures

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Personality Disorder

• Defined as an enduring pattern of inner
  experience and behavior that differs markedly
  from the expectations of the individuals culture
  
• is pervasive and inflexible
• has an onset in adolescence or early adulthood
• is stable over time
• leads to distress or impairment

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DSM IV Classification

• DPD is classified as a Cluster C disorder
• Exhibits anxious fearful behavior
• Cluster C includes
• Avoidant Personality Disorder
• Dependent Personality Disorder
• Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

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Dependent Personality Disorder Defined

• DPD is described as a pervasive and excessive
  need to be taken care of that leads to a
  submissive and clinging behavior as well as fears
  of separation.
• Begins in early adulthood
• Is present in a variety of contexts
• Cause is unknown

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Diagnosing DPD

• Is indicated by five or more of the following
  characteristics
• Have difficulty making everyday decision without
  excessive advice and reassurance from others
• Needs others to assume responsibility for most
  major areas of his or her life
• Has difficulty initiating projects or tasks on
  their own
• Goes to excessive lengths to obtain nurturance
  and support from others, including volunteering
  for unpleasant tasks
• Feels uncomfortable or helpless when alone
  because of exaggerated fears of being unable to
  care for themselves
• Urgently seeks another relationship as a source
  of support when a close relationship ends.
• Is unrealistically preoccupied with fears of
  being left to take care of themselves

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Personality Traits

• Inability to make decisions
• Passivity
• Avoiding personal responsibility
• Avoiding being alone
• Devastation when relationship ends
• Unable to meet ordinary demands of life
• Preoccupied with fears of being abandoned
• Constant approval-seeking behavior

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Other Symptoms

• Pessimistic, characterized by self doubt
• Tolerate physical abuse
• Respond to criticism and disapproval as proof of
  their worthlessness
• Are at a high risk for suicide attempts
• especially after rejection

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Associated Disorders

• Separation Anxiety Disorder
• Chronic physical illness
• Adjustment disorder
• Anxiety Disorders
• Mood disorders
• Depression
• Also at risk for smoking, alcohol and drug abuse,
  and eating disorders

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Treatment

• There is no specific treatment for DPD
• Long term psychotherapy is the most common form
  of treatment
• Medications can also be used in treating
  associated disorders

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Psychotherapy

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Changing maladaptive thinking patterns
• Such as the inability to make important life
  decisions
• Focuses on solutions to specific problems that
  patients are currently experiencing
• Assertiveness training is often most effective
• Patients are often outwardly compliant
• Tend to be passive in treatment
• Easy to get patients into therapy, but are
  difficult because of their strong need for
  constant reassurance and support
• Often become dependent upon the clinician

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Medication

• May be helpful to treat any co-occurring
  conditions
• Most commonly antidepressants, sedatives and
  tranquilizers
• Sedative drug abuse/overdose is common
• Should not be used alone without psychotherapy
• Anxiety medication can often interfere with
  psychotherapy

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Long-term Implications

• Only long-term therapy has shown to be helpful
  for individuals with DPD
• No real cure
• Patients can become dependent on therapy, which
  contradicts the long-term therapy that is often
  needed

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References

• http//www.psychologytoday.com/conditions/dependen
  t.html
• http//www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/00
  0941.htm
• http//www.emedicine.com/med/topic3472.htm
• http//news.thresholds.org/poc/view_doc.php?typed
  ocid477cn8
• http//www.toad.net/arcturus/dd/depend.htm
• http//www.ptypes.com/dependentpd.html
• http//www.nmha.org/infoctr/factsheets/91.cfm
• All viewed on 9/9/06
• Chioqueta, A.P., Stiles, T.C. (2004).
  Assessing suicide risk in cluster c personality
  disorders. Crisis, 25(3), 128-133.