Catalina Offers Treatment Programs for Dependent Personality Disorder in Arizona
If you have come to our resource for Dependent Personality Disorder treatment, you are in the right place.
And please forgive us if some of these details are familiar. As you may know on a personal level, Dependent Personality Disorder (DPD) is a Cluster C personality disorder.
Without help, people with DPD often struggle to take care of themselves emotionally and physically. If you (or your loved one) is struggling with DPD, it may be difficult to make your own decisions without reassurance from others. This includes small everyday choices.
But there is an alternative to living this way. Effective treatment for dependent personality disorder pushes back against the symptoms and encourages independence in sustainable ways. However, not all mental health professionals are well-versed in the condition.
At Catalina Behavioral Health, we are a JCAHO-accredited mental health treatment center that offers evidence-based support for DPD from clinical professionals.
Keep reading to learn more about effective treatment for Dependent Personality Disorder, and remember our caring team is only a confidential call away for immediate assistance.
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What Types of Therapy are Used for Dependent Personality Disorder (DPD)?
People with DPD benefit from talk therapy, which comes in different forms. Most of the time, the types of therapy used to treat DPD include cognitive behavioral therapy and psychodynamic therapy.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for DPD
CBT is a structured therapy that can be adapted to treat many mental health conditions. The treatment involves looking at how your thoughts affect your actions. Throughout the process, you will work with a therapist to:
- Unlearn negative thoughts and beliefs that influence DPD symptoms. For example, thoughts that perpetuate low self-confidence.
- Slowly expose yourself to situations that cause anxiety (e.g., relying on your own abilities to complete a task).
- Develop healthier thought patterns, behaviors, and habits.
In CBT for DPD, people often work on things like confronting fears of independence and increasing assertiveness.
Psychodynamic Therapy for DPD
Psychodynamic therapy uses self-reflection to help you understand the root of your current behavior patterns. This type of therapy helps you learn more about yourself and why you behave the way you do.
In psychodynamic therapy, you might explore past memories and how they affect how you feel about yourself or your actions now. For example, childhood experiences.
Other Treatments for DPD
While CBT and psychodynamic therapy are among the most used treatments for the condition, other approaches can be helpful, too. As an add-on, people might benefit from treatments, such as experiential therapies, which can increase confidence.
To some degree, treatment for dependent personality disorder depends on your personal circumstances. No two people are exactly alike. We provide personalized treatment plans for people with dependent personality disorder, based on their comprehensive mental health needs.
How is Dependent Personality Disorder Diagnosed?
DPD is diagnosed using the criteria in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Only qualified medical or mental health professionals, such as psychiatrists, can diagnose personality disorders like DPD.
Diagnoses falling into this cluster are characterized by feelings of anxiety and fear related to independent living. Like with other personality disorders, DPD symptoms can affect your ability to function adequately in daily life.
Usually, the diagnostic process involves a personal interview. At this time, you’ll answer a series of questions. The provider you talk to will also review your medical history and other relevant information.
Catalina Behavioral Health is a Joint Commission-accredited treatment center with a multidisciplinary team of experts. We provide thorough assessments so that people receive the right care.
What’s Included in the Diagnostic Criteria for DPD?
To be diagnosed with DPD, you must display a continuous and excessive need to be taken care of. This results in submissive and clinging behavior and fears of separation, evidenced by the presence of five or more of the following symptoms.
- Trouble starting projects on your own due to a lack of confidence in your abilities or judgment (not due to a lack of energy or motivation).
- The urgent need to form a new relationship with someone who will provide support and care when one relationship ends.
- Difficulty making everyday decisions without an inordinate amount of reassurance and advice from others.
- Difficulty expressing disagreement with others because you fear the loss of support and approval.
- Willingness to go to great lengths (e.g., unpleasant tasks) to get support from others.
- A need for others to be responsible for the most important aspects of your life.
- An unrealistic preoccupation with the fear of being left to take care of yourself.
Symptoms start in early adulthood. DPD must be distinguished from the dependency seen in other disorders.
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Can DPD be Misdiagnosed as Another Mental Health Disorder?
Yes. DPD can be misdiagnosed. People with dependent personality disorder may seek help for and get diagnosed with another mental health condition, like depression, first. Likely, this is because there’s less information and public awareness about DPD.
Some signs of dependent personality disorder overlap with other conditions. For example, people with borderline personality disorder, anxiety disorders, or depression might display some of the same symptoms.
The Importance of Addressing Co-Occurring Conditions in DPD Treatment
Sometimes, people with personality disorders like DPD have one or more co-occurring mental health concerns. For example, another personality disorder, depression, anxiety disorders, or substance abuse.
If you have multiple mental health concerns, one may affect the other. And, the symptoms of any mental disorder can impact your quality of life. We acknowledge all applicable concerns to ensure your needs are addressed comprehensively.
What are the Goals of Dependent Personality Disorder Treatment?
Common therapy goals for persons with DPD include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following. Our therapists will help you or your loved one with DPD set and work toward goals unique to them.
Gain Confidence and Self-Esteem
Confidence and self-esteem are crucial for overcoming DPD symptoms. A mental health professional will work with you to develop skills such as problem-solving and decision-making, helping you learn that you are capable.
Form a Support System
Interdependence is the goal for those with DPD, who might feel uncomfortable relying on their own internal compass. Codependence involves unhealthy reliance on another person, but interdependence promotes close relationships and personal autonomy.
People with DPD can form healthy relationships and cease behaviors like seeking constant reassurance. Building a support system of people who believe in you can help you reach this goal and maintain your progress.
Build Self-Care Routines
Self-care is crucial for physical and emotional wellness. We will help you or your loved one build self-care routines that support their overall well-being. This can include coping skills for managing symptoms like fear of abandonment, as well as healthy everyday habits.
Turn to Catalina for Dependent Personality Disorder Treatment
Catalina Behavioral Health provides effective treatment for dependent personality disorder and other mental health conditions. Multiple levels of care are available, including outpatient and inpatient mental health therapy programs.
We accept most private insurances. When you contact us, our team in Tucson can verify insurance coverage, answer your questions, or start the assessment process.
Please reach out confidentially to our admissions line for our proven dependent personality disorder treatment programs, and get support options now.
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FAQs About Treatment for Dependent Personality Disorder
What is the cause of dependent personality disorder?
Researchers believe that DPD develops due to several factors. These include:
- Abuse (e.g., physical, verbal, or emotional abuse). People who have survived abuse are at an increased risk of developing DPD.
- Environmental factors (e.g., growing up in an environment that emphasized reliance on authority).
- Childhood trauma.
- Genetics.
Understanding the possible causes, or risk factors, for DPD can help you understand yourself better.
Can someone with a personality disorder change?
Absolutely. Deep, long-lasting patterns of symptoms are what set personality disorders apart from other mental health conditions. These can be hard to break. Although being patient with yourself is vital for this reason, personality disorders like DPD are treatable.
What’s the difference between avoidant personality disorder and dependent personality disorder?
While some signs of the two conditions are similar, many aspects differ. Usually, people with avoidant personality disorder withdraw from social situations until they know they’ll be accepted. Those with dependent personality disorder tend to seek out relationships due to the need to be taken care of.
What therapy is best for personality disorders?
The best type(s) of therapy for personality disorders can depend on several factors, including your specific diagnosis. For DPD, the most documented and effective treatments include psychodynamic and cognitive behavioral therapies.
References
- Ramsay, G., & Jolayemi, A. (2020, August 9). Personality disorders revisited: A newly proposed mental illness. Cureus.
- Dependent personality disorder (DPD) – psychiatric disorders. MSD Manual Professional Edition. (n.d.).
- Dependent personality disorder. Cleveland Clinic. (2025e, October 8).
- Hansen, B. J. (2024, August 17). Dependent personality disorder. StatPearls [Internet].
