Is dependent personality a disease

Dependent personality is a type of personality disorder, but not a disease in the traditional sense. Dependent personality disorder is mainly characterized by excessive dependence on others, lack of confidence, fear of separation, and difficulty making independent decisions. This type of problem usually requires diagnosis through psychological assessment and may be related to factors such as childhood experiences, family education methods, traumatic events, etc. The core characteristic of

dependent personality disorder is excessive dependence on others, leading to impaired normal functioning in daily life. Patients often need others to make decisions for themselves, and even small things are difficult to complete independently. They are extremely afraid of being abandoned or losing support, often enduring unhealthy relationships to avoid being alone. This pattern typically begins in early adulthood and persists in various contexts. In rare cases, a dependent personality may be accompanied by symptoms of anxiety or depression, and in severe cases, it can affect important areas such as social and occupational functioning. However, most individuals with a dependent personality can still maintain basic social functions, but often remain in a passive submissive position in interpersonal relationships. Some people may experience somatic reactions such as chronic headaches or gastrointestinal discomfort due to long-term suppression of real needs. If there is suspicion of a dependency personality tendency, it is recommended to seek professional psychological assessment. Cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal relationship therapy in psychological counseling have shown improvement effects. In daily life, you can gradually practice independent decision-making, establish healthy social boundaries, cultivate interests and hobbies to enhance your sense of self-worth. Moderate exercise can also help alleviate anxiety, but there is no need to force oneself to immediately change behavior patterns.