Difference between revisions of "Know if Someone Has a Dependent Personality Disorder"

{{fa}}Dependent Personality Disorder is characterized by an excessive need to be taken care of that leads to submissive and clinging behavior and fears of separation.<ref name="rf1">http://psychcentral.com/disorders/dependent-personality-disorder-symptoms/</ref> It is found in persons who have never been able to form a strong sense of self and who find purpose (and safety) living in the shadow of another. Often commencing in early adulthood (by which time the person should have a fairly stable sense of self), this condition can result in anxious, fearful, and insecure behavior than can prevent the sufferer from leading a full and fulfilling life. This tendency to "cling" can cause those targeted by the dependent individual to feel suffocated or — if being manipulative — to seek to control the sufferer's every move and thought. If you're concerned that someone you know might have dependent personality disorder, it is important to learn to spot the signs and to encourage the sufferer to seek help.

#Understand a possible cause of Dependent Personality Disorder. The person's [[Understand  the Effects of Childhood Experiences|childhood]] may have laid the foundations for developing dependent personality disorder. Overly anxious or insecure parents are often the cause of a child's inability to individuate from them.<ref name="rf2">http://psychcentral.com/lib/what-causes-dependent-personality-disorder/</ref> If she was constantly punished or made to feel [[Eliminate Guilt|guilty]] for seeking independence as a child, she may feel that independent thought and action is a bad thing. While she ultimately needs to move on from her childhood experiences, recalling how they may have brought on her dependent personality can be helpful in elucidating the cause of her disorder.

#*Note that there may be a combination of genetic, biological, and environmental factors that lead to this disorder.<ref name="rf3">https://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/neurological_institute/center-for-behavioral-health/disease-conditions/hic-dependent-personality-disorder</ref>

#Recognize the signs. You will need to look for '''five or more''' of the following characteristics to be able to draw an initial conclusion that someone might be suffering from Dependent Personality Disorder.<ref name="rf1" /> The following traits in combination are indicative (although, to be sure, the sufferer will still need professional diagnosis):<ref name="rf1" /><ref name="rf4">http://umm.edu/health/medical/ency/articles/dependent-personality-disorder</ref>

#*Does he urgently seek another relationship as a source of care and support when a close relationship comes to an end? <ref name="rf5">http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/personality-disorders/basics/symptoms/con-20030111</ref> Does he jump into [[Know if You're in a Rebound Relationship|rebound relationships]], for example, meaning he must find someone new to date quickly after a breakup? Does he feel helpless when alone because of exaggerated fears of being unable to take care of himself, whether financially, emotionally, or even physically?

#Check additional criteria. Sometimes people seem like they have Dependent Personality Disorder when they really don't. If the above criteria are met, see if she also meets the following criteria before considering a diagnosis of dependent personality disorder. Note that if any of these are not met, she does not have dependent personality disorder:<ref name="rf1" />

#Consider how the sufferer appears to feel when left alone. Does he feel [[Be Strong|helpless]], uncomfortable, and anxious? Does he feel indecisive and angry with himself for not knowing what to think or do? Think about how he reacts when the person he's attached to returns. Does he leap on this person straight away expecting immediate attention and even scold this person for leaving him by himself? Feeling helpless, abandoned, and uncomfortable when on his own frequently occurs as a result of exaggerated fears of not being able to take care of himself. <ref name="rf1" />

#*Get her exercising, eating balanced meals, and reducing her stress. If she's addicted to any substance, this will need to be treated. Be careful that she doesn’t disengage from others too much, as social support itself does act to reduce stress.<ref name="rf6">http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/social-support/art-20044445</ref>

#Encourage the sufferer to get professional help. Dependent personality disorder can be treated through psychotherapy or psychoanalysis. It is not a life sentence for the sufferer. However, many sufferers are likely to resist getting therapy because they refuse to see that there is anything wrong with how they live their lives or they're so depressed or [[Overcome an Addiction|addicted]] that they're avoiding facing the issues at all. It is important to motivate the person to seek help.<ref name="rf7">https://www.psychologytoday.com/conditions/dependent-personality-disorder#treatments</ref>

#*Since the person suffering from dependent personality disorder may be so terrified that the person(s) on whom she's dependent will reject/leave her, it is important for the mental health professional to also assess any signs of [[Deal with Depression|depression]], anxiety, panic disorders, and somatic distress.<ref name="rf7" /><ref name="rf8">Pamela Stephenson Connolly, ''Head case: treat yourself to better mental health'', p. 168, (2007), ISBN 978-0-7553-1721-9</ref>

*This condition develops in early adulthood and refers specifically to adult or mature behavior. As children grow older, you should be helping them to think and act independently more and more by letting them make decisions. <ref name="rf9">https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/compassion-matters/201204/the-abuse-overparenting</ref>Also be sure to create a home environment where making mistakes is considered normal and show by example how you pick up and move on after making mistakes yourself.

*Overly protective parenting can contribute to this disorder.  Find ways to become a balanced parent.<ref name="rf2" />

*Dependent personality disorder is typically grouped under the "Cluster C" type of personality disorders; these tend to display anxious and fearful behavior traits.<ref name="rf5" />