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Dependent personality disorder is aCluster C personality disorder.It is a mental health condition that can cause a person to be overly dependent on other people for their physical and emotional needs.

People with dependent personality disorder often have trouble making decisions for themselves and feel helpless when they’re alone because they feel incapable of taking care of themselves.They tend to have an overwhelming need for someone else to take care of them instead.

This article explores the symptoms, causes, and diagnosis of dependent personality disorder, as well as some treatment options and coping strategies that may be helpful.

What Are Personality Disorders in the DSM-5?

Symptoms of Dependent Personality Disorder

These are some of the symptoms of dependent personality disorder,according toAimee Daramus, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist.

The symptoms of dependent personality disorder usually begin in childhood or early adulthood, often before the age of 30.

Causes of Dependent Personality Disorder

The exact causes of dependent personality disorder are unknown.However, certain factors can contribute to the risk of developing this condition:

How to Spot the Signs of Codependency

Diagnosing Dependent Personality Disorder

According to Dr. Daramus, the diagnostic process might involve:

Substance use, depression, thoughts of suicide, or abuse are complications that may exist alongside dependent personality disorder.It’s important for healthcare providers to identify and treat these conditions in parallel.

Treating Dependent Personality Disorder

Below, Dr. Daramus outlines some of the treatment options for dependent personality disorder:

Aimee Daramus, PsyDTreatment for personality disorders doesn’t aim to turn anyone into a totally different person, but rather to help them become a healthier, more moderate, and less extreme version of who they naturally are.

Aimee Daramus, PsyD

Treatment for personality disorders doesn’t aim to turn anyone into a totally different person, but rather to help them become a healthier, more moderate, and less extreme version of who they naturally are.

Coping With Dependent Personality Disorder

If you are living with dependent personality disorder, Dr. Daramus shares some strategies that can help you cope:

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A Word From Verywell

Dependent personality disorder can cause you to experienceanxietyat the prospect of making decisions or being alone. This can be difficult and uncomfortable to live with. However,treatmentcan help you develop more confidence and trust in yourself, which in turn can help you become more independent and self-sufficient.

8 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Hutsebaut J, Willemsen EMC, Van HL.Tijd voor cluster C-persoonlijkheids-stoornissen: state of the art [Time for cluster C personality disorders: state of the art].Tijdschr Psychiatr. 2018;60(5):306-314.

National Library of Medicine.Dependent personality disorder.Medline Plus.

American Psychiatric Association.What are personality disorders?

Cleveland Clinic.Dependent personality disorder.

Benotsch EG, Sawyer AN, Martin AM, et al.Dependency traits, relationship power, and health risks in women receiving sexually-transmitted infection clinic services.Behav Med. 2017;43(3):176-183. doi:10.1080/08964289.2017.1297291

Mount Sinai.Dependent personality disorder.

Faith, C. (2009).Dependent personality disorder: A review of etiology and treatment.Graduate Journal of Counseling Psychology,1(2), 7.

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