Dependent Personality Disorder

DisclaimerThis page is not here to be used as a self-diagnosis, self-identification, or promotion - it's simply here to be informational. Whether or not one self-diagnoses, self-identifies, and/or seeks a professional diagnosis is up to them.
AbuseThe following page includes discussions of abuse, including verbal, physical, neglect, sexual (**SA also has its own warning**), etc. If you are uncomfortable or get triggered by this topic, it is recommended to not read this page.

**Dependent Personality Disorder (DPD)** is a personality disorder characterized by an inability to be alone. Individuals with DPD often feel helpless, submissive or incapable of taking care of themselves. They may have trouble making simple decisions.

## Signs & Symptoms

Symptoms of DPD usually begin in childhood or before the individual reaches the age of 30.

* Difficulty making decisions without the input or presence of others.
* Being overly passive or submissive.
* An inability to disagree or argue with others.
* Allowing or preferring others handle ones personal business.
* Extreme fear of abandonment, especially by loved ones.
* Intense sadness and lethargy when a loved one leaves or after a breakup.
* A willingness to do anything in ones power, including putting up with abuse or mistreatment or doing dangerous or illegal things, to please a valued individual or keep them near.
* Having trouble starting projects or doing things alone.
* Constantly seeking relationships and cultivating them in order to not be alone, no matter how unhealthy the relationship may be.

When alone, an individual with DPD may experience:

* Nervousness.
* Anxiety.
* Panic attacks.
* Fear.
* Hopelessness.

### Diagnosis

For a diagnosis of DPD, one must have at least five of the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria:

* All-consuming, unrealistic fear of being abandoned.
* Anxious or helpless feeling when alone.
* Inability to manage life responsibilities without seeking help from others.
* Problems stating an opinion out of fear of loss of support or approval.
* Strong drive to get support from others, even choosing to do unenjoyable things to get it.
* Trouble making decisions without input or reassurance from others.
* Trouble starting or completing projects because of lack of self-confidence or ability to make decisions.
* Urge to seek a new relationship to provide support and approval when a close relationship ends.

## Causes

While there are no direct or specific causes of dependent personality disorder, some conditions and circumstances can make an individual's likelihood of developing the disorder higher. These include:

* A traumatic abandonment in childhood through family circumstances or war.
* A family history of personality disorders, depression, or anxiety.
* Surviving childhood abuse.
* Having a chronic physical illness in childhood.

## References

https://www.healthline.com/health/dependent-personality-disorder

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9783-dependent-personality-disorder

https://www.sheppardpratt.org/knowledge-center/condition/dependent-personality-disorder/

https://unitedbrainassociation.org/brain-resources/dependent-personality-disorder/