Brief Overview of CoDependence/Dependent Personality Disorder

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Dependent Personality Disorder is a condition characterized by an over-reliance on others that leads to submissive and clinging behavior and fears of separation. The dependent and submissive behaviors arise from feeling unable to cope without the help of others. This disorder is only diagnosed when these behaviors become persistent and very disabling or distressing. This diagnosis should be used with great caution, if at all, in children and adolescents, for whom dependent behavior may be developmentally appropriate.

Complications:

Complications of this disorder are increased risk of: depression; alcohol or drug abuse; physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. Occupational functioning is impaired if independent initiative is required. The individual avoids positions of responsibility and becomes anxious when faced with decisions. Social relations tend to be limited to those few people on whom the individual is dependent.

Comorbidity:

Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Adjustment Disorder, and other Personality Disorders (especially Borderline, Avoidant, and Histrionic) frequently co-occur with this disorder.

Associated Laboratory Findings:

No laboratory test has been found to be diagnostic of this disorder.

Prevalence:

This disorder is more frequent in females, and is present in about 0.5% of the general population.

Course:

It usually begins in early adulthood, and has a chronic course. Dependent behavior is very common in childhood, but most adolescents grow out of this behavior. Unfortunately, for some, this dependent behavior persists and intensifies into adulthood; thus they become diagnosed with this disorder. Chronic physical illness or Separation Anxiety Disorder in childhood or adolescence may predispose the individual to develop this disorder.