Dependent personality disorder: the causes, symptoms and characteristics of treatment

In today's world, many people suffer from different dependencies. Psychological and physiological dependencies are equally harmful to us. How to deal with them, which is the primary source of the problem, can you help yourself? This is possible, the main thing is to be honest with yourself and not forget that we are all ordinary people.

Personality disorder

Personality disorder is a kind of mental disorder. It is characterized by the fact that the behavior of a person deviates greatly from established norms. This is a serious violation in the patient's psyche, which entails the destruction of almost all spheres of life. Personality disorder is always accompanied by social disintegration, that is, separating oneself from society.

When can I find?

Dependent personality disorder occurs in adolescence or late childhood. At this stage, the disease is only beginning, but it can manifest itself in maturity. Having carried out certain tests for the accentuation of the person, that is, the inclination of a person, one can determine whether he is inclined to a mental disorder. Since adolescents have an unstable nervous system, the most accurate results of accentuation can be obtained at the age of 16-17. Psychological tests provide an opportunity not only to determine the type of personality, but also to demonstrate the severity of the disorder and its further development. The younger the person, the easier it is to cure him. This is due to the fact that with age, all fears and beliefs take root in the mind very firmly, "expelling" them from there more difficult every year.

What is a dependent personality disorder?

Another name for this disease, or rather, the outdated name is the personality disorder of the asthenic type. The disease consists in the personality disorder, which is characterized by a feeling of helplessness, weakness and impracticability without the help or support of others. The patient feels that he can not live and normally exist without anyone else.

Causes

During the Soviet Union, a personality disorder of a dependent type was considered a psychopathy, which was explained by the inherent inferiority of the human nervous system, the presence of birth trauma, heredity and harmful factors that could affect the fetus. To date, scientists believe that there can be many reasons. They can be not only congenital, but also acquired. Of course, the genetic predisposition plays a huge role, but it is proved that the transferred physical, psychological or sexual violence (especially at an early age) can create a fertile ground for the development of a personality disorder.

Dependent personality disorder: symptoms

Symptoms of the disease include:

• The desire to shift to other people the adoption of responsible decisions;
• Complete submission to the wishes of another person, inadequate compliance;
• Refusal to criticize or present any claims to other people even within reasonable limits;
• Inability to live independently, which provokes a fear of loneliness;
• Fear of being abandoned;
• The inability to make simple household decisions without support or advice from third parties.

This is only a basic list of symptoms, because it is simply impossible to describe all possible variants of the behavior and thoughts of a sick person. It is very important to recognize the dependent personality disorder, rather than indulge in illusions that a person is simply too affectionate and affectionate.

As for additional symptoms, it can be said that a person perceives himself as something inferior. He can not make decisions and make choices, he does not even strive for it. In order to feel peace and security, it is very important for the patient to have at least one person who always tells what to do. The danger lies in the fact that the patient does not see the reality. He can blindly follow all the instructions of another person, go about him and not notice the obvious use. Moreover, the sick person will protect and in every possible way praise his "ruler", seeing in him only good and positive qualities. It should also be noted that such patients are very afraid to enter into conflicts with a loved one. They will avoid stress in every possible way, doing everything possible to please another. At the same time, having support from outside, such a person can be aggressive towards others. Having her, he believes that the whole world is for him, so there is nothing to fear.

If a patient loses a person to whom he was tied, he may become depressed or completely apathetic. The fear of loneliness will constantly persecute the patient, so he will quickly start looking for a new object that would take all responsibility on himself. This explains the credulity and naivety of people who are ready to entrust their lives to anyone who does not refuse.

Diagnosis

As we said above, dependent personality disorder is a kind of general personality disorder. The disease belongs to the class of anxious and panic disorders. In order to make the correct diagnosis, a person should exhibit some of the following characteristics at the age of 18:

• Difficulties in making daily decisions without the approval of the outside;
• Need for people who make responsible decisions;
• As yet a latent desire to be led;
• Complexities in the manifestation of the initiative;
• Feelings of increased discomfort due to the fact that a person can not help himself;
• A strong desire to receive approval and custody, even to the detriment of oneself;
• Rapid replacement of old relations with new ones if a gap has occurred;
• A huge number of inadequate fears.

Self-treatment

How to overcome dependent personality disorder? Treatment alone is almost impossible in the last stages. In order to cure yourself of this disease, it is very important to understand the problem. Particularly great are the chances for a person who without outside help realized that he is sick. Having realized and accepting the fact of illness, you can move on. It is very important not to make sharp transitions. For example, you can not deprive yourself of support once. In the treatment of psychiatric disorders of the dependent type, sequence and gradualness are very important. The patient should be weaned from constant dependence, take small decisions every day, adjust oneself to one's own importance, the ability to live independently. At the same time, one should remember the healthy support of close people. You should not go too far and deprive yourself of the natural need for approval, but it is important to know the measure. Only gradual and independent treatment can give really impressive results.

Unfortunately, official treatment is most often violence against the patient's will. It is completely permissible and necessary in the treatment of physical ailments, but the mental organization requires a more subtle and cautious approach.

Official treatment

Official treatment involves group psychotherapy. A person learns to work in a group and thereby enhances his self-esteem in order to overcome a dependent personality disorder. Symptoms of the disease are such that to overcome them it is very important to realize yourself as a full and viable personality. Also, psychotherapists recommend conducting training of assertiveness, that is, learning to say "no." This is a very important skill for such patients, it is on this need to concentrate most of the attention. The very process of treatment is based on the fact that a person has learned two truths:

• He can live alone and make decisions independently;
• Refuse - this is normal.

Possible consequences of the disease

Dependent personality disorder, the causes of which can be overcome, can have very negative consequences. Unfortunately, if a person does not seek medical help or does not work on himself, it can be very bad. Not all people can realize and admit themselves as sick, but some succeed. The responsibility for the health of others lies with their loved ones, who must recognize the disease on time and record the person for treatment. Perception of this disease as a minor trifle or stupidity can lead to the fact that a person will suffer from dependence all his life. Possible consequences:

• Propensity to addiction, alcoholism, promiscuous sexual life, violation of generally accepted norms;
• Persistent depression, psychosis;
• With age, treatment will be more difficult to manage;
• Disclaimer of responsibility for one's own life.

It should be very well understood what this disease can lead to in time to help yourself or your loved ones. Only attention, support and sensitivity will help the patient to free himself from the weight of heavy dependence.