ABSTRACT
The Dependent Personality Disorder can be recognized by the following descriptors and characteristics: style vs. disorder; triggering event; behavioral style, interpersonal style, cognitive style, affective style, attachment style, and optimal diagnostic criterion. This chapter focuses on diagnosis, psychological assessment, case conceptualization, and treatment interventions. It begins with background information on the disorder as well as a DSM-5 description and a prototypic description of this disorder. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2), the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI-IV), the Rorschach Psychodiagnostic Test, and the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) can be useful in diagnosing Dependent Personality Disorder. The differential diagnoses for this personality disorder include the Histrionic Personality Disorder and the Avoidant Personality Disorder. Common symptom diagnoses that are associated with the Dependent Personality Disorder include the anxiety disorders, particularly Simple Phobia and Social Anxiety Disorder, and Panic Disorder. Finally, because Dependent Personality Disorders can have lifelong training in assuming the sick role they are especially prone to the Factitious Disorders.
