psychiatric disorders
Dependent Personality Disorder (DPD)
Introduction
Dependent personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive, excessive need to be taken care of, leading to submissiveness and clinging behaviors. Diagnosis is by clinical criteria. Treatment is with psychotherapy and possibly antidepressants. (See also Overview of Personality Disorders .) In patients with dependent personality disorder, the need to be taken care of results in loss of their autonomy and interests. Because they are intensely anxious about taking care of themselves, they become excessively dependent and submissive. Fewer than 1% of the general US population are estimated to have dependent personality disorder ( General reference ). It is diagnosed more often in females. are common. Patients often also have a depressive disorder ( Major depressive disorder (unipolar depressive disorder) or 