1. Dependent Personality Disorder Denzel Smith Psychology Period, 6

2. Dependent Personality Disorder  Individuals with dependent personality disorder use their submissive and clinging behavior toward others to elicit care, depending on them for initiative, reassurance, decision making, and advice. (DSM IV-TR)  Basically the need to be taken care of or to depend others to set their major goals.

3. Associated Features  DSM IV-TR criteria  A pervasive and excessive need to be taken care of that leads to submissive and clinging behavior and fears of separation, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:  (1) has difficulty making everyday decisions without an excessive amount of advice and reassurance from others.  (2) needs others to assume responsibility for most major areas of his or her life.  (3) has difficulty expressing disagreement with others because of fear of loss of support or approval. Note: Do not include realistic fears of retribution.

4. Associated Features  (4) has difficulty initiating projects or doing things on his or her own (because of a lack of self-confidence in judgment or abilities rather than a lack of motivation or energy).  (5) goes to excessive lengths to obtain nurturance and support from others, to the point of volunteering to do things that are unpleasant.  (6) feels uncomfortable or helpless when alone because of exaggerated fears of being unable to care for himself or herself.  (7) urgently seeks another relationship as a source of care and support when a close relationship ends.  (8) is unrealistically preoccupied with fears of being left to take care of himself or herself.

5. Associated Features  Seeks overprotection and dominance from others.  Takes criticism as proof of their worthlessness and lose faith in them selves.  Also has difficulty doing things on their own, because they lack self confidence.  Feels uncomfortable or helpless when alone because they fear being unable to take care of them selves.

6. Etiology  Biological  People with DPD appear to have a biological, inborn temperament, sometimes referred to as harm avoidance, that is characterized by a tendency to worry about the outcome of a variety of situations that many others take for granted.  Family & Social Environment  Sexually humiliated by others in their development years.  Caretakers reject attempts the child makes towards independence.  Result of over involvement of caretakers.

7. Prevalence  Rarely diagnosed in children or adolescents.  Showed in women and men, but women are most common.  American society reward dependent behavior in women but punish the same behavior in men, social pressures may contribute to the fact females appear to have it more.  9.1% 0f the United States population(1 in every 11) meet the DSM IV-TR criteria for dependent personality disorder.

8. Treatment  Psychotherapy is considered to be the most effective treatment for gradually helping people with this condition make more independent choices in life.  Helps person be more active and independent.  Learn to form healthy relationships.  Assertiveness training, builds self confidence.  However, while helping a client, the therapist avoids becoming an authority figure to the client.

9. Treatment  Anti-anxiety agents  Anti depressants

10. Prognosis  Improvements for DPD are usually seen in long term therapy.  People with DPD commonly turn to alcohol and drugs, which eventually leads to abuse.  People with DPD and do drugs or alcohol depend on them.  Depression

11. Discussion  Is it possible to overcome dependent personality disorder in a short term period of time?  How common are personality disorders worldwide?

12. Reference  Theclevelandclinic.(2012).Retrieved from http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/personality _disorders/hic_dependent_personality_disorder.as px http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/personality _disorders/hic_dependent_personality_disorder.as px  Reference from A.D.A.M.(2010).Dependent personality disorder. http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/ dependent-personality-disorder/overview.html http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/ dependent-personality-disorder/overview.html  Halgin,R.P.&Whitbourne,S.K.(2005).Abnormal psychology clinical perspectives on psychological disorders.New York,NY: McGraw-Hill.