Dependent Personality Disorder (DPD): Pathogenesis and Clinical Findings • Difficulties with Activities - Initiation Of projects or completion of activities difficult due to a lack of self-confidence and self-doubt • Reassurance Required - Pronounced difficulties making everyday decisions without advice, validation, or reassurance from others • Life Responsibilities Delegated - Requires others to assume responsibilities for most major areas in their life • Fear of Abandonment - Preoccupation with EXTREME fears of being left to care for themselves • Avoidance of Disagreements - Has difficulties expressing contrasting opinions for fear of disapproval, loss of support, or abandonment • Nurturance Sought - Goes to EXCESSIVE lengths to obtain nurturance & support from other people • Companionship - Seeks out companionship IMMEDIATELY and URGENTLY when a relationship ends • Alone - Feels uncomfortable & helpless when alone; centered around fears of being unable to care for themselves DPD Mnemonic: RELIANCE 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 >5 of: - Reassurance required - Expressing disagreement difficult - Life responsibilities - Initiating projects difficult - Alone - Nurturance - Companionship sought urgently - Exaggerated fears of being left to care for self #DPD #Dependent #PersonalityDisorder #Diagnosis #Psychiatry #Criteria #Signs #Symptoms #Mnemonic #RELIANCE
