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Dependent personality disorder - Treatment

Alternative Names

Personality disorder - dependent

Treatment:

Talk therapy (psychotherapy) is considered to be the most effective treatment for gradually helping people with this condition make more independent choices in life. Medication may help treat other conditions, such as anxiety or depression.

Expectations (prognosis):

Improvements are usually seen only with long-term therapy.

Complications:

Alcohol or drug abuse
Depression
Increased likelihood of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider or a mental health professional if you or your adolescent has symptoms of dependent personality disorder.

Reviewed last on: 11/23/2010
Linda Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Michelle Benger Merrill, MD, Instructor in Clinical Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Blais MA, Smallwood P, Groves JE, Rivas-Vazquez RA. Personality and personality disorders. In: Stern TA, Rosenbaum JF, Fava M, Biederman J, Rauch SL, eds. Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. 1st ed. Philadelphia, Pa:Mosby Elsevier; 2008:chap 39.

Depression

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