Dependent Personality Disorder

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KEY POINTS

• Dependent personality disorder is a condition that causes you to always feel like you need someone to take care of you. You worry all the time about being left alone and feel anxious and very tense when you are alone.
• This disorder changes the way you relate to others and the way you think about everyday activities. Therapy may help. Assertiveness training may be helpful.
• Get emergency care if you have serious thoughts of suicide or harming others.

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What is dependent personality disorder?

Dependent personality disorder is a condition that causes you to always feel like you need someone to take care of you. You worry all the time about being left alone and feel anxious and very tense when you are alone.

What is the cause?

The exact cause of this disorder is not known. Possible causes include:

• The brain makes chemicals that affect thoughts, emotions, and actions. Without the right balance of these chemicals, there may be problems with the way you think, feel, or act. People with this disorder may have too little or too much of some of these chemicals.
• Stress plays a part. You may be at higher risk due to problems such as abuse, financial stresses, or the death of loved ones.
• Problems in your family when you were growing up may increase your risk. Your parents may have tried to control you and not allow you to make any decisions, or you may have been criticized so often that you learned to doubt yourself.

The disorder usually appears in early adulthood. More women than men have this disorder.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms may include:

• Having unusually high needs for attention and support
• Having trouble making everyday decisions without lots of advice and support from others
• Acting helpless so that someone else will take care of you
• Rarely disagreeing with others because you fear loss of support or approval
• Having trouble starting projects or doing things because you don’t trust your judgment or abilities
• Putting other people’s needs above your own, even if someone abuses you
• Worrying all the time that you will be left all alone, and feeling helpless when you are alone

How is it diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider or a mental health therapist will ask about your symptoms and any drug or alcohol use. He or she may also:

• Ask about your relationships with family, friends, and coworkers
• Give you a personality test
• Make sure medicines are not causing or increasing your symptoms

You may have lab tests to rule out medical problems.

How is it treated?

This disorder changes the way you relate to others and the way you think about everyday activities. Several types of therapy may help.

• Talk therapy involves talking with a therapist about your problems and issues, and working toward solutions.
• Behavior therapy helps you recognize that the way you act affects others. This can help you change problem behaviors.
• Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a way to help you identify and change views you have of yourself, the world, and the future. CBT can make you aware of unhealthy ways of thinking. It can also help you learn new thought and behavior patterns.
• Assertiveness training may be helpful in treating this disorder.

How can I take care of myself?

• Get support. Talk with family and friends. Consider joining a support group in your area.
• Learn to manage stress. Ask for help at home and work when the load is too great to handle. Find ways to relax. For example take up a hobby, listen to music, watch movies, or take walks. Try yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises when you feel stressed.
• Take care of your physical health. Try to get at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Eat a healthy diet. Limit caffeine. If you smoke, try to quit. Avoid alcohol and drugs. Exercise according to your healthcare provider's instructions.
• Check your medicines. To help prevent problems, tell your healthcare provider and pharmacist about all the medicines, natural remedies, vitamins, and other supplements that you take.
• Contact your healthcare provider or therapist if you have any questions or your symptoms seem to be getting worse.

Get emergency care if you or a loved one has serious thoughts of suicide or harming others.

For more information, contact:

• National Institute of Mental Health
  866-615-6464
  http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
• Mental Health America
  800-969-6642
  http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/