A man hugs a woman from behind. They both look upset.Individuals diagnosed with dependent personality tend to be reliant on others past the point that is considered typical or healthy. They may act submissive or clingy to convince others to take care of them. People with this condition may be terrified of being alone.

Understanding Dependent Personality

At the heart of dependent personality is a lack of self-efficacy. Individuals with dependent personality believe they are incapable of being independent and may feel unable to make even simple decisions without outside input. They often avoid expressing any type of disagreement for fear of losing their support. 

Most people with dependent personality are fully capable of functioning on their own. When other individuals do everything for the individual, they may not learn necessary life skills. This perpetuates the cycle of dependency. People with dependent personality may fear seeming too competent and losing support before they are ready. However, they can typically function independently if they know someone else is supervising.

Signs and Symptoms of Dependent Personality

Dependent personality is characterized as a personality disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). To be diagnosed with dependent personality, an individual must exhibit at least five of the following symptoms:

  • Difficulty making everyday decisions without input or reassurance
  • A need for others to assume responsibility for major areas of the individual’s life
  • Difficulty expressing disagreement
  • Difficulty starting or completing tasks on their own due to a lack of confidence
  • Willingness to do unpleasant activities in order to get support from others
  • Discomfort when alone due to a fear of being unable to care for oneself
  • Immediately seeking a new relationship whenever a close, supportive relationship ends
  • Focusing on unrealistic fears of solitude 

Individuals with dependent personality are likely to belittle themselves as “stupid” or “hopeless." They interpret criticism as proof that they need help. They may avoid taking on responsibility or making decisions, and this can hurt their careers or academic progress. 

Prevalence and Causes of Dependent Personality

Dependent personality is rare; it only occurs in about 0.49 to 0.6% of the population. Dependent personality typically develops by early adulthood and occurs at about the same rate in people of all genders. 

A combination of biological and environmental factors seem to cause dependent personality. People who had authoritarian parents may be at increased risk for dependent personality, and separation anxiety in childhood is a predictive factor as well. Individuals with chronic illness are more likely to develop dependent personality, but they only qualify if they request support that others with their illness wouldn’t need.

Living with Dependent Personality

For those who have a dependent personality, even the simplest decision can be difficult. They may ask for input about what to wear or what to eat for lunch. Larger decisions, such as what job to have and where to live, are often left to parents or a spouse. 

Additionally, individuals with dependent personality may have difficulty standing up for themselves. They may allow others to abuse or take advantage of them. Even when anger is appropriate for the situation, they often struggle to express their frustrations for fear of losing support.    

Individuals with dependent personality urgently seek out relationships to get support or reassurance. They may attach to people before getting to know them or stay in relationships that are toxic, abusive, or otherwise unhealthy in order to maintain their support network. Individuals with dependent personality may also be more likely to experience depression, avoidant personality, and borderline personality.

Treatment for Dependent Personality

Psychotherapy is the primary treatment for dependent personality. The focus of therapy is typically on helping people to become more independent. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may be used to help an individual challenge negative thoughts and start engaging in more independent behaviors. 

Psychodynamic therapy is particularly effective for treating dependent personality. A psychodynamic therapist works to explore the root of the dependency and the unconscious processes that perpetuate it. The therapist must make sure the person in therapy does not become dependent on them. The goal of treatment is to foster independence, and therapy should make the individual feel more capable of caring for themselves. 

References:

  1. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing. 
  2. Dependent personality disorder. (2016, November 18). Medline Plus. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000941.htm
  3. Dependent personality disorder. (2017, March 30). Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/dependent-personality-disorder
  4. Dependent personality disorder treatment. (2016, July 20). Healthy Place. Retrieved from https://www.healthyplace.com/personality-disorders/dependent-personality-disorder/dependent-personality-disorder-treatment/