What is Dependent Personality Disorder?

This video describes dependent personality disorder. Dependent personality disorder is a cluster C personality disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM). It's in the same cluster as avoidant personality disorder and obsessive-compulsive personality. Cluster C is considered the anxious and fearful cluster. The symptom criteria for dependent person include number of potential symptoms including having difficulty making everyday decisions without excessive advice and reassurance from others, needing others to assume responsibilities for most areas of one's life, difficulty expressing disagreement, going to excessive lengths to obtain support, feeling helpless when one is alone, seeking relationships for support right after another supportive relationship ends, and a preoccupation with fears of being left to take care of oneself. There's a theme with dependent personality disorder that somebody is concerned about being abandoned and having to take care of themselves and has trouble making decisions. Other characteristics and associated features with dependent personality disorder include being submissive and passive, having a low amount of anger even in situations where some anger would be justified, tolerating abuse, having a pessimistic attitude, and appearing clingy. With dependent personality disorder, men are more at risk to be perpetrators of domestic violence and men and women with dependent personality disorder are at a greater risk to be perpetrators of child abuse. There is also at a greater risk to commit self-harm.