Dependent personality disorder was formerly known as asthenic personality disorder. Individuals affected by this disorder are extremely dependant on other people and cannot function without them. They have a strong need of approval, to be taken care of and valuation. They tend to cling to their loved ones and behave meekly. They get panicky or uncomfortable at the mere though of separation from their attachment figures and cannot stand being alone. In case of abandonment or loneliness they may require medical assistance. This disorder is known to affect approximately 0.5 percent of the general population and is more common among women.

Characteristics of Dependent personality disorder :

Individuals with this disorder focus their entire life around others and consider their own needs to be secondary in front of the needs of others.

They are unable to express anger or frustration in front of others due to the constant fear of losing them.

They might remain in emotionally or physically abusive relationships in order to avoid being abandoned by their attachment figures.

They lack the ability to take even the most basic or minor decisions all by themselves and turn to others for advice.

They need to be reassured by others that they will not abandon them from time to time.

These individuals lack confidence, self-worth and dignity.

They feel they are incompetent even after having developed good work skills and being blessed with great talents.

They have the tendency to perform well as long as they are not on their own.

They are often perceived as selfless and timid by others.

Even if they know that the other person is wrong, they do not question him/her due to the fear of being left alone.

They are often preoccupied with the fear of being left alone and if one relationship ends, they plunge into another one immediately.

Complications:

These include an increased risk of depression, alcohol or drug abuse, physical, emotional or sexual abuse. If independence is required the social and professional functioning of the individual might get impaired.