How is dependent personality disorder diagnosed?
Personality continues to evolve throughout child and adolescent development. Because of this, healthcare providers don’t typically diagnose someone with dependent personality disorder until after the age of 18. Providers need evidence that these patterns of behavior are long-lasting and haven’t really changed with time.
Personality disorders, including DPD, can be difficult to diagnose. This is because most people with one don’t think there’s a problem with their behavior or way of thinking.
When they do seek help, it’s often due to conditions such as anxiety or depression from the problems created by their personality disorder, like relationship or work difficulties.
When a mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, suspects someone might have dependent personality disorder, they often ask broad, general questions that will shed light on:
- Past history.
- Relationships.
- Previous work history.
- Reality testing.
A person suspected of having DPD may lack insight into their behaviors and thought patterns. So, mental health professionals often work with the person’s family and friends to collect more information into their behaviors and history.
DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for dependent personality disorder
Mental health providers base a diagnosis of dependent personality disorder on the criteria for the condition in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
Diagnostic criteria for dependent personality disorder involve a persistent pattern of at least five of the following behaviors:
- Difficulty making daily decisions without an excessive amount of advice and reassurance from others.
- Needing others to be responsible for the most important aspects of their life.
- Difficulty disagreeing with others because they fear the loss of support or approval.
- Issues starting projects on their own because they’re not confident in their judgment and abilities.
- Willingness to go to great lengths (like doing unpleasant tasks) to get support from others.
- Feeling uncomfortable or helpless when they’re alone because they fear they can’t take care of themselves.
- Urgently needing to form a new relationship with someone who will provide care and support when a close relationship ends.
- Unrealistic worry of being left to take care of themselves.
FAQs
Dependent personality disorder (DPD) is a type of anxious personality disorder. People with DPD often feel helpless, submissive and incapable of taking care of themselves. They may have trouble making simple decisions. The condition is treatable with psychotherapy (talk therapy). Medication may help as well.
What's the difference between BPD and DPD? ›
Those with borderline personality disorder respond to symptoms with feelings of rage and emptiness, while those with DPD respond with submissiveness. The symptoms of DPD are very similar to other disorders and physical illnesses. That's why diagnosis often starts with a physical exam.
What are the 4 types of personality disorders? ›
Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) Borderline personality disorder (BPD) Histrionic personality disorder. Narcissistic personality disorder.
What are the 3 overlooked signs of a personality disorder? ›
The Three Most Important Signs. Perhaps more striking than specific symptoms associated with certain illnesses are the persistence, rigidity, and globalism of the perplexing behaviors. One or two symptoms of a particular PDO are insufficient to warrant a diagnosis.
How does a person with dependent personality disorder act? ›
Dependent personality disorder (DPD) is a type of anxious personality disorder. People with DPD often feel helpless, submissive and incapable of taking care of themselves. They may have trouble making simple decisions. The condition is treatable with psychotherapy (talk therapy).
What age does dependent personality disorder start? ›
Dependent personality disorder (DPD) is an inability to be alone and excessive reliance on others for comfort and support. Unlike insecurity, which is common, there's a need for reassurance to function. According to the Cleveland Clinic, people with this condition normally first show signs in early to mid-adulthood.
What medication is used for dependent personality disorder? ›
No medication will cure dependent personality disorder, but some medications may be helpful in addressing the condition's underlying symptoms. Drugs such as antidepressants, sedatives and tranquilizers are often prescribed for patients with dependent personality disorder. Reducing distress is the priority.
What does it feel like to be DPD? ›
When a person first experiences DPD, he often feels as if he is going mad. Patients report feeling panic-stricken, trapped inside themselves, or thrown into an unfamiliar world they can't escape. Lack of emotion. People with DPD describe feeling inhuman, like a robot or a rock.
How do you know if you have DPD? ›
Symptoms of Dependent Personality Disorder
- Difficulty making decisions without the input or presence of others.
- Being overly passive or submissive.
- An inability to disagree with or argue with others.
- Allowing or preferring other people to handle your personal business.
- Extreme fear of abandonment, especially by loved ones.
Antisocial personality disorder and borderline personality disorder (BPD) are the most frequently diagnosed personality disorders.³
Borderline personality disorder is one of the most painful mental illnesses since individuals struggling with this disorder are constantly trying to cope with volatile and overwhelming emotions.
What is the rarest personality disorder? ›
And according to the DSM-5, cluster B personality disorders are the rarest of the three, with a prevalence of 1.5%. Learning the similarities and differences between the cluster B conditions can help us destigmatize these often misunderstood mental health conditions and better understand those who live with them.
What is the hardest personality disorder to treat? ›
Of the ten personality disorders described in the DSM-5, the four in Cluster B: Antisocial, Borderline, Narcissistic and Histrionic, have been the ones considered to be the most difficult to treat.
What is the hardest personality disorder to diagnose? ›
Borderline personality disorder often occurs with other mental illnesses, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These co-occurring disorders can make it harder to diagnose and treat borderline personality disorder, especially if symptoms of other illnesses overlap with symptoms of the disorder.
What is the most commonly misdiagnosed personality disorder? ›
BPD is one of the most commonly misdiagnosed mental health conditions. It's so misdiagnosed, in fact, that there isn't even an accurate prevalence rate for the condition.
Who is most affected by dependent personality disorder? ›
Fewer than 1% of the general US population are estimated to have dependent personality disorder (1). It is diagnosed more often in females.
Does dependent personality disorder get worse with age? ›
Personality disorders that are susceptible to worsening with age include paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal, obsessive compulsive, borderline, histrionic, narcissistic, avoidant, and dependent, said Dr.
Can people with DPD live alone? ›
People with DPD are sometimes unable to live an independent life. “Without treatment, the condition worsens, and over time, [may] cause caregivers to feel burned out, thus ending relationships,” says Dr. Twine. The person may feel extremely overwhelmed, and likely feel like they need another caregiver immediately.
Who is at risk for dependent personality disorder? ›
Having a parent with dependent personality disorder is a strong risk factor for this particular condition. Childhood trauma. Exposure to physical, emotional, and sexual abuse in childhood is a primary risk factor for most personality disorders, including dependent personality disorder.
