Of all the personality disorders, doctors diagnose dependent personality disorder (DPD) more than others. This disorder occurs just as much in men as it does in women. Furthermore, it’s not uncommon for it to accompany other disorders, such as addiction. Thankfully, a dependent personality disorder treatment program can help individuals find relief through treatments like a therapeutic recreation program.
What Is DPD?
It’s important for individuals to learn about DPD and the problems that it can cause. The first thing that people should know is that DPD develops in both teens and adults. It’s more likely to occur when they form important relationships
In general, people who struggle with DPD become emotionally attached or over-dependent on other individuals. They crave being around those individuals and go to great lengths to please them. As a result, they tend to have needy and clingy behavioral patterns. Most importantly, they fear being away from those individuals.
Symptoms of DPD
Believe it or not, the symptoms of DPD go well beyond the fear of separation. In fact, some of the other symptoms include:
- Inability to make decisions, including everyday decisions such as what to wear or eat
- Dependent on their spouse or significant other to make the majority of decisions
- A crippling fear of abandonment
- Lack of self-confidence or pessimistic
- Fear of being alone
- Willing to tolerate abuse or mistreatment
- Naive or have a tendency to fantasize
In some situations, DPD doesn’t affect people in a negative way every day. Like with any disorder, there are varying degrees of DPD. Because of that, some people go their whole lives without needing a dependent personality disorder treatment program. However, others are unable to lead normal lives.
Link Between DPD and Addiction
Doctors say that the brain becomes susceptible to disorders when it develops one, such as DPD. Unfortunately, addiction is also a disorder. Hence, it’s not uncommon for people to struggle from addiction and some kind of underlying mental illness.
However, there’s another reason why addiction and DPD occur together. People with the disorder try to find ways to cope with the anxiety that they feel. Usually, they experience anxiety when they’re away from the individuals on which they’re dependent. In some cases, they turn to drugs and alcohol for relief.
Dependent Personality Disorder Treatment Program
Fortunately, people can get help with DPD. Most of the time, a dependent personality disorder treatment program includes a lot of psychotherapy. Typically, the goal is to get people to become more independent.
However, there’s no cure for DPD. For that reason, some people attend a dependent personality disorder treatment program their whole lives. The coping skills that they learn aid them in living normally. Also, these skills help them depend less on drugs to overcome separation anxiety.
Promises Behavioral Health Can Help With DPD
Do you or someone you know struggle with DPD? If so, getting into a dependent personality disorder treatment program can help. At Promises Behavioral Health, we offer treatment for DPD and other mental disorders. In fact, we offer dual diagnosis treatment for people with mental conditions and addiction.
Of course, Promises Behavioral Health provides more than just treatment for DPD. In fact, we use a wide variety of treatment programs. Some of the services that are available at our facility include:
- Medical drug detox
- Therapeutic recreation program
- Anger management therapy sessions
- Eating disorder treatment
- Customized treatment plans
- Outpatient rehab
Don’t let DPD lead you down the path of substance use disorder. Find a dependent personality disorder treatment program that can help you. Learn more about Promises Behavioral Health programs and services when you dial 844.875.5609.