Treating Dependent Personality Disorder in Newport News, VA—Therapists and Counselors
Mutually beneficial relationships are difficult for people with Dependent Personality Disorder. They often struggle with low-self-esteem. They usually have an intense desire to please authority figures and for those figures to then take care of them. Dependent Personality Disorder can cause severe challenges in an individual’s life, but it is a disorder that has treatments. Different psychotherapy approaches and medications have proven effective for treating the disorder. People can learn to be self-reliant.
The mental health professionals at Thriveworks Newport News understand how Dependent Personality Disorder works and the treatment options that are available. That is why we offer treatment for the disorder. We have helped many people discover how capable they are. Reach out today for help.
How Dependent Personality Disorder Develops
Children and teens go through dependent stages of development, and certain cultures have practices that are deferential to authority figures. These stages and practices are very different than Dependent Personality Disorder. This disorder is a mental illness that is not developmentally or culturally based.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) outlines the criteria for diagnosing Dependent Personality Disorder (301.6[F70.7]). The disorder often develops as an individual transitions from adolescence to adulthood. They are often unable to make the leap into independence and sustain a fully-functioning adult life that is self-sufficient. Further, Dependent Personality Disorder raises an individual’s risk for other depression, personality, anxiety, and adjustment disorders.
Signs and Symptoms of Dependent Personality Disorder
The DSM-5 outlines these three symptoms as essential for a Dependent Personality Disorder diagnosis:
- Anxiety when separated from care givers.
- A core need for someone to care for them.
- Behavior that is overly deferential.
In addition, at least five of the following will be present:
- Quickly finding new caregivers when one caregiving relationship ends.
- Adjusting what one thinks or feels or values to what others think in order to secure their approval.
- The inability to make everyday choices without consulting with an authority figure for reassurance and advice.
- Handing over responsibility of significant portions of one’s life to another. For example, parents who pay an adult child’s rent.
- An extreme fear of being abandoned.
- Feeling distress when alone and going to extremes to be around other people.
- An extreme fear of having to care for oneself.
Dependent Personality Disorder, can cause extreme difficulties for people. In their personal lives, those with the disorder have difficulty forming genuine friendships that do not devolve into caretaking relationships, and thus, they often have very small social circles. Professionally, people with the disorder often struggle to find or hold a job. They often lack confidence and do not take initiative which hampers them professionally.
Setting Up Therapy at Thriveworks Newport News for Dependent Personality Disorder
Without a doubt, Dependent Personality Disorder can wreak havoc in an individual’s life. It is a serious illness, and like other serious illnesses, healing often requires treatment. With intervention, it may be possible for people with the disorder to live independent, self-sustaining lives—to live their own lives. Thriveworks Newport News works with many clients, and we offer holistic and individualized therapy. Some clients benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy while others need psychodynamic therapy. Some people need medication while others do not. Our mental health professionals are committed to helping their clients find the specific treatments they need.
We want to help. When you contact our office, know that a scheduling specialist will answer your call and help you make an appointment. New clients often meet with their counselor within the same week of their first call. We offer evening and weekend appointments, but we do not put our clients on a waitlist. Instead, we want them to have the help they need when they need it. We also accept many different forms of insurance. Call Thriveworks Newport News today to schedule an appointment for Dependent Personality Disorder. Let’s work together.
Anger, Coping Skills, Self Esteem, Stress, Life Transition, +3 more 
