Personality disorders are characterized by certain patterns of reaction and perception that cause anguish or inability to function properly. It is usually the development of a permanent pattern that establishes discomfort over time.
They are classified into three large groups, which are responsible for covering paranoid personality disorders (group a), social personality disorders, narcissistic (group b) and finally dependent and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders (group c). The latter usually develops an excessive need for contact and care.
In the following article, we will talk about dependent personality disorder, the reasons for its development, symptoms and treatments.
What is dependent personality disorder?
In a summaryof the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, they define dependent personality disorder as a general and excessive need for one to be addressed.
This disorder develops behaviors of submission and fear of separation. They destine the individual, to have his own perception about an inability to function correctly if he does not have help from others.
These individuals also as a general characteristic, usually have the need to require excessive advice and approval from others for their decision-making in the main areas of their lives.
Causes of Dependent Personality Disorder
This type of disorder usually has causes that are responsible for being consequent to its development, so below these will be mentioned and explained for better identification and understanding.
Childhood traumas
There are events during childhood development, which often trigger disorders that are not visible at the moment but over time.
It is necessary to mention that there is no other stage in a person’s life where they feel more intensely than in childhood, which is why they are more prone to suffering traumas as a result of anything that happens and is a feasible trigger.
The emotional damage caused can produce personality disorders such as emotional dependence, be it with partners, friends or relatives. The need for approval and the lack of control over their own decisions are underlying the aforementioned.
In the article on Psychology and Training in Psychological Clinics in Madrid , they emphasize that abandonment is one of the main reasons for manifesting the developed need, which gives way to emotional dependence.
genetics
Just as genetics develop a patient to be affinity to substances, there are hereditary factors that influence these types of disorders. Normally, there is a registered family history, which evidences the reason for it, but is not totally decisive for its development.
In other words, having a genetic link with a person who suffers from emotional dependence does not mean that you will develop it, but rather that the chances increase.
Anxiety
Among the traits present in people with this type of disorder, anxiety is also always involvedtag. The innate tendency to anxiety counts as part of the development and formation of this type of pathology.
Education and social environment
The influence of the beliefs and culture of our environment are essential for the development of this type of disorder. Normalizing emotional dependency will create circumstances where we are blind to what we are really going through, we would ignore the facts, and our interpersonal relationships would be unhealthy.
Symptoms of Dependent Personality Disorder
Understanding Dependent Personality Disorder is important because it greatly limits us as individual and independent beings. To recognize this disorder there are certain symptoms that occur under specific circumstances. We mention them below.
Inability to make decisions
As we previously mentioned, people with emotionally dependent personality disorders often have trouble making decisions, at least not without first consulting with different opinions.
His own judgment is influenced and affected, since he does not feel the security of having control over things and that his emotional affections are the ones that can really understand what would be best for him.
insecurity and shyness
People who suffer from this disorder do not dare to show their disagreement, their real opinion. The lack of self-confidence does not allow them to get involved in situations where they may feel inferior or submit to the disapproval of their ideals.
need for protection
The need for protection develops from a lack of security and dependency, presenting difficulties in facing problems or even assuming responsibilities. Many times they feel that they should not demonstrate or feel competent or skillful enough so as not to be left adrift.
Submissive Attitude
Just as previously described, submission influences a lot under the fear of being abandoned.
Giving in to other people’s requests to be accommodating and avoid getting angry, when it is necessary to avoid creating conflicts or distancing, are symptoms that show a lack of personal commitment and the fear of losing people and feeling alone.
fear of loneliness
The fear of loneliness is critical. They prefer to put up with circumstances and people that are not convenient or healthy, to cling to them avoiding feeling the opportunity to be abandoned.
The abandonment is not real, but the insecurity that patients with this personality disorder present will always need the help and approval of others for their proper functioning or development.
Lack of self-esteem and confidence
Understood under the descriptions given above, a person with Dependent Personality Disorder does not consider his worth as a person and judgment at all. They even consider themselves inferior and incapable, further upsetting their low or non-existent levels ofConfidence .
Lack of initiative
The creation of new projects or the communication of an idea, even the slightest, becomes a challenge. Normally he deals with only following instructions from others for greater comfort and thus avoiding feeling judged, evaluated or supervised. That the facts that they carry out are basically not their total responsibility.
Treatment of dependent personality disorder
The treatments referred to for this type of disorders are within the use from drugs to psychotherapies, recognizing their nature and triggers. Then we present a description of the three main ones.
Cognitive behavioral therapy
This type of therapy is one of the treatments that is considered and proven to be more effective. It must address past relationships, traumas and their triggers.
In the ITA Mental Health Specialists Blog entitled Treatment of dependent personality disorder (TDP) , they explain that its main objective is to intervene in the least invasive way possible in the areas of your life, which may have been the reason for the development of this disorder and assisted approach and treat it from biological, social and psychological perspectives.
prescription drugs
This treatment refers to the use of drugs to stabilize moods. Initially, the diagnosis is made to determine the severity and nature of the disorder, and the presence of others such as depression, anxiety or substance dependence, and thus be able to assign the appropriate treatment.
Among the medications that enter into contexts and can be prescribed are:
- Antidepressants.
- Antipsychotics.
- Anxiolytics.
Group Therapy
In a Studyfocused on recognition in the face of the presence of this type of disorder. It is suggested that the intervention of this type of therapy favors identification and recognition, being found as a tool for people to produce changes in their behaviors, feelings and perceptions.
In this sense, groups allow the development of observable patterns and a feeling of support, making evident the potential of their correct functioning and, thanks to them, the increase in interaction by individuals.
University Professional in the area of Human Resources, Postgraduate in Occupational Health and Hygiene of the Work Environment, 14 years of experience in the area of health. Interested in topics of Psychology, Occupational Health, and General Medicine.