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