Dependent personality disorder therapy from our therapists in Wilmington, NC helps clients establish their individuality and self-reliance, as those with dependent personality disorder harshly criticize themselves and underestimate their abilities.
Dependent personality disorder therapy often involves exploration into one's past — specifically, events or relationships that may have led to the development of their dependent personality disorder. These experiences and their subsequent behaviors are discussed to help one develop healthier behaviors moving forward.
Treatment for Dependent Personality Disorder in Wilmington, NC—Counselors and Therapists
If you are struggling with independence, know that help is available. Many options, including medications and treatment, are available. Thriveworks Counseling in Wilmington, NC has worked with many clients who have dependent personality disorder, and our mental health professionals have helped them find the resources they need to live an independent, self-sustaining life. So, if you are looking for a psychologist, a therapist, or even a psychiatrist NP in the Wilmington, NC area, look no further. Our team of mental health professionals is here to help.
Dependent Personality Disorder: Signs and Symptoms
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) outlines the symptoms of dependent personality disorder (301.6[F70.7]). The main signs are:
- Fear of separation.
- A need to be cared for.
- Submissive behavior.
Five or more of the following signs will be present as well:
- Feeling very uncomfortable being alone. Especially experiencing a fear of being unable to care for oneself.
- The inability to make daily decisions without reassurance and/or advice from others or an authority figure. For example, an adult daughter may still call her mother about what groceries to buy or whether to purchase a new sweater.
- Having another person be in charge of significant areas of one’s life that would normally be handled by oneself. For example, parents who still pay an adult child’s bills.
- Realistically and acutely fearing abandonment, especially if an individual would have to care for themself.
- Going to extremes to ensure a caregiver’s support and nurture continue. Specifically, individuals may compromise their values or identity to please others.
- Being overly agreeable with what others believe to avoid losing their approval and/or support. For example, people may hide religious or political beliefs, but they may also fear sharing which sports team they prefer.
- Quickly establishing a new care-taking relationship when one ends. This is often motivated by a fear of being alone.
Treatment for Dependent Personality Disorder at Thriveworks in Wilmington, NC
Dependent personality disorder is highly disruptive to an individual’s ability to function, but there are treatment options that have been effective in restoring their ability to meet their own financial, emotional, material, and psychological needs. Often, therapy involves a multi-faceted approach that may include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy: This therapy confronts negative thinking patterns like, “I cannot take care of myself.” It reframes these beliefs to be positive and true.
- Medication: If an individual is also fighting depression and/or anxiety as well as dependent personality disorder, medication may relieve symptoms while people tackle deep emotional work and discover the root issues that are fueling their condition.
- Psychodynamic therapy: This therapy takes the longest, but it also has produced effective results in many people’s lives. It seeks out how the dependent behaviors initially formed and tries to apply healing to an individual’s psyche.
If you are ready for treatment, we are ready to help. When you contact Thriveworks Counseling in Wilmington, NC, you can meet with a therapist in person or online. We offer evening and weekend appointments, and we accept many different forms of insurance.
Let’s work together. Call Thriveworks in Wilmington, NC to schedule an appointment today.
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