A condition must fall into one of the following clusters to be classified as

a personality disorder:

 Cluster A: odd or eccentric behavior

 Cluster B: emotional or erratic behavior
 Cluster C: anxious, nervous behavior

DPD belongs to cluster C. Signs of this disorder include:

 behaving submissively
 relying on friends or family for decision-making
 needing repeated reassurance
 being easily hurt by disapproval
 feeling isolated and nervous when alone
 fearing rejection
 being overly sensitivity to criticism
 being unable to be alone
 having a tendency to be naive
 fearing abandonment

People with DPD may require constant reassurance. They can become devastated
when relationships and friendships are severed.

When alone, a person with DPD may experience:

 nervousness
 anxiety
 panic attacks
  fear
 hopelessness

Some of these symptoms are the same for people with anxiety disorders. People with
medical conditions such as depression or menopause may also experience some of
these symptoms. Contact your doctor to receive a specific diagnosis if you experience
any of the above symptoms.

It’s unknown what causes people to develop DPD. However, experts cite both
biological and developmental factors.

What are the risk factors?

Some risk factors that might contribute to the development of this disorder include:

 having a history of neglect

 having an abusive upbringing
 being in a long-term, abusive relationship
 having overprotective or authoritarian parents
 having a family history of anxiety disorders

How’s DPD diagnosed?

Your doctor will give you a physical exam to see if a physical illness could be the
source of symptoms, particularly anxiety. This may include blood tests to check
for hormone imbalances. If tests are inconclusive, your doctor will likely refer you to
a mental health specialist.
A psychiatrist or psychologist usually diagnoses DPD. They’ll take your symptoms,
history, and mental state into account during diagnosis.

Diagnosis begins with a detailed history of your symptoms. This includes how long
you’ve been experiencing them and how they came about. Your doctor may also ask
questions about your childhood and your present life.

How’s DPD treated?

Treatment focuses on alleviating symptoms. Psychotherapy is often the first course of
action. Therapy can help you better understand your condition. It can also teach you
new ways to build healthy relationships with others and improve your self-esteem.

Psychotherapy is usually used on a short-term basis. Long-term therapy could put you
at risk of growing dependent on your therapist.

Medications can help relieve anxiety and depression, but are generally used as a last
resort. Your therapist or doctor may prescribe you a medication to treat panic attacks
that result from extreme anxiety. Some medications for anxiety and depression are
habit-forming, so you may have to see your doctor regularly while taking them to
prevent prescription dependence.

What are the potential

complications of DPD?
Complications that can arise from untreated DPD are:

 anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder, avoidant personality disorder,

and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD)
 depression
 substance abuse
 phobias