Seeking approval and reassurance from our loved ones is a natural human desire. We value their opinions and often look to them for guidance. But, when that guidance becomes a complete dependency on another person and an inability to function adequately without help from others, a Dependent Personality Disorder may be the underlying issue.

How Can Dependent Personality Disorder Impact Your Life?

Dependent Personality Disorder is a Cluster C personality disorder characterized by a crippling emotional and often physical reliance on others. This dependency can make it challenging to make day-to-day decisions, maintain healthy relationships, and have an empowered sense of self. Those struggling with Dependent Personality Disorder often see their symptoms appear in early adulthood and can go to extreme lengths to feel loved and valued.

What Are The Symptoms Of Dependent Personality Disorder?

People with DPD become very emotionally dependent on their caregivers and spend a significant amount of time trying to please others. They tend to display passive, needy, and clingy behaviors. Some of the most common features of Dependent Personality Disorder include:

· Difficulty being alone
· Avoidance of personal responsibility
· Extreme sensitivity to criticism
· Inability to make everyday decisions without the reassurance from others
· Intense fear of abandonment
· Lack of self-confidence and overall pessimism due to the belief that they are incapable of caring for themselves
· Placing the needs of others before themselves
· Tolerance of abusive treatment

How Can Lightfully Help With Your Dependent Personality Disorder?

At Lightfully Behavioral Health, we realize the importance of having a common language to describe symptoms the individual might be experiencing. Even so, we see our clients as more than just their diagnoses. Clients can expect an integrated and inclusive treatment plan from an exceptionally equipped team at any of our Thousand Oaks, Carlsbad, or Los Angeles locations that focuses on the core processes which underlie their symptoms and all human suffering. In this way, we work to help the client develop an integrated self and a more balanced, meaningful life.