Dependent personality disorder (DPD), according to Cleveland Clinic (2010), is a one of the various conditions referred to as personality disorders, which are characterized by intense feelings of anxiety and fear. Dependent personality disorder is also characterized by vulnerability, submissiveness, extreme need to be taken care of and for frequent reassurance as well as an inability to make concrete decisions (Cleveland Clinic, 2010). This disorder is one of the most commonly diagnosed personality disorders.It is also among the numerous personality disorders listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR). This disease, according to Barlow & Durand (2008), affects both men and women with the same frequency. People suffering from this disorder usually become emotionally dependent on others and spend a great deal of effort in an attempt to please others.
They portray needy, submissive, and clinging habit, and have extreme fear of separation.Other common features associated with this disorder include: lack of ability to make decisions, avoidance of individual obligations, extreme sensitivity to criticism, lack of ability to initiate projects, difficulties in spending time alone, propensity to be naive, willingness to tolerate maltreatment from other people, extreme fear of break up of relationship, and low self esteem (Barlow, and Durand 2008). These people conduct themselves in a manner aimed at deriving the approval of others. It is very easy for a person suffering from dependent personality disorder to be influenced by others (Cleveland Clinic, 2010).The chief cause of dependent personality disorder has not yet been discovered, but psychologists believe that it usually develops as a result of biological, developmental and psychological factors.
Scientists argue that overprotection and too much control by parents during childhood may culminate in the development of dependent personality disorder. People suffering from dependent personality disorder are often humiliated during their developmental stage of life (Cleveland Clinic, 2010). They carry with them huge doubts concerning their capacities to carry out various functions.There are no laboratory tests that can be carried out to determine the presence of dependent personality disorder (Cleveland Clinic, 2010). However, if symptoms of the disorder are detected, physicians begin an examination by carrying out a comprehensive medical history of the patient in addition to physical evaluation. Various diagnostic tests are conducted in order to rule out presence of other diseases that may lead to symptoms similar to dependent personality disorder (Barlow, and Durand 2008).
In case a physician finds no physical abnormality that may lead to development of the symptoms, it is important that he/she refer the patient to a psychiatrist. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) clearly outlines eight diagnostic criteria for this disorder. One of them is that people suffering from this disorder have difficulties in making proper decisions. The second one is over reliance on others to perform minor tasks for them (Barlow & Durand 2008).
These people, as per the DSM-IV-TR, believe that they are incapable of being independent (Barlow & Durand, 2008).They shy away from adult obligations by behaving in a helpless and passive manner. The other criterion, according to the DSM-IV-TR, is that these people experience difficulties in expressing their opinions which may differ from those of others (Barlow & Durand 2008). They view disagreeing with others as a risky behavior that may greatly hinder the approval they greatly need.
The other criterion is that they have difficulties in initiating their own projects due to the fact that they lack self confidence.The DSM-IV-TR, according to Barlow & Durand (2008), states that these people can go to extreme lengths in order to acquire approval and support from others. This results in them doing unpleasant tasks with intent of pleasing others. These people feel extremely lonely when not in the company of another person. They feel absolutely incapable of taking care of themselves.
The DSM-IV-TR states that in case an existing relation comes to an end, these people establish a new one as soon as possible (Barlow & Durand 2008).People suffering from dependent personality disorder are preoccupied with anxiety and fears in case they are left to look after themselves. Psychologists have over time devised various theories to give explanation for the development of various abnormal psychological behaviors (Bornstein, 1993). They argue that each and very person is born dependent on others for basic things such as food, water, nurturance, and protection (Bornstein, 1993). The process of socialization, as psychologists claim, is aimed at helping a person live an independent life.Bornstein (1993), point out that disruptions that may occur during the developmental stage of a person, such as neglect by caregivers or early death of a parent, may lead to a person growing in extreme fear of abandonment.
This view on development of dependent personality disorder comes from research work in development of a child concerning the way children learn to develop relationship with their parents as well as other people who may be significant in their lives (Bornstein, 1993). In case this process of development of relationships is disrupted, an individual may live in fear that he/she will lose people close to him/her.Humanistic personality theorists believe that dependence develops as a defensive aspect, the purpose of which is to reduce fears, anxiety, and discomforts associated with a person’s failure to become completely self-actualized (Bornstein, 1993). Humanistic personality theorists, as illustrated by Bornstein (1993) posit that non-self actualized individuals lack the willpower to engage in sovereign self-directed habits and rather depend on other people for security, leadership, and assistance.Existential theorists just like humanistic theorists view dependence personality disorder as a defensive behavior. According to existentialists dependence personality typifies an attempt to abrogate accountability for ones deeds as a way of denying isolation of a person in a world that cannot be predicted or controlled (Bornstein, 1993).
Freud's personality development, in psychoanalytic theory, is the other theory used to give explanation for development of dependence personality disorder (Bornstein, 1993).This theory, as per Bornstein (1993), links development of dependence personality disorder to events of the childhood stage of growth. Frustrations during this stage are posited to result in lack of ability to find a solution to various developmental issues associated with this stage, especially conflicts concerning independence and dependence. This theory, as indicated by Bornstein (1993), hypothesizes that a person who is orally fixated remains dependent on others for assistance and nurturance and continue to display behaviors during adulthood that mirror the juvenile oral stage.Freud linked development of personality to the feeding experience in oral stage (Bornstein, 1993).
The development of Freud’s views, on the subject of development of dependent personality disorder, corresponded to what developed into a trend in conventional psychoanalytic theory, referred to as, an endless stress on social instead of biological factors as significant elements in development of personality (Bornstein, 1993). A very good case of dependent personality disorder is that of a teacher, Shareen, who had worked in a school for a period of nine years.Even though Shareen had worked for that long, she still required encouragement and assistance from other teachers in order to undertake any new projects for her students. The childhood of Shareen was a traditional and perfect one as she described. Shareen stated that her father was a strong figure who was relied upon by the rest of the family. Her mother treated everyone in the family nicely and took good care of them.
Her elder sister was her guardian in school, and if anything went wrong she would run to her for assistance.Her sister protected her from bullies and helped her do her homework (Millon, Millon, Grossman and Meagher, 2004). Despite the fact that she was an average student, Shareen was liked by her teachers because she was a well behaved girl. After graduating from high school, Shareen married Tim, an appliance mechanic who rekindled the memory of her father.
Shareen played the role of a traditional wife even though she at times found it very hard to assert herself in the relationship for fear that Tim might get angry with her (Millon, Millon, Grossman and Meagher, 2004).With time, Tim recognized how needy Shareen was without her own cycle of friends. Millon, Millon, Grossman ; Meagher (2004), state that Tim finally convinced Shareen to take up a job as a teacher. Every morning, Tim dropped Shareen off at work and picked her up again in the late afternoon. Tim finally decided that in order for Shareen to have more of an identity of her own, she should enroll in a junior college (Millon, Millon, Grossman and Meagher 2004).
Shareen requested Tim to select the courses he would like her to do. She also requested that he tutor her every evening and drive her to and from college every day.Shareen was filled with doubts of her self-confidence to follow through. As time went by, her elder sister was knocked dead by a hit and run car, and this tremendously affected Shareen emotionally. This made her to cling to Tim even more tightly. Shareen stopped going to work and also dropped her classes.
Even though there were numerous problems in their relationship that would have led to divorce Tim wondered how Shareen would make it alone. Eventually they divorced and within a couple of months, Shareen got married to a truck driver (Millon, Millon, Grossman and Meagher, 2004)
