Which personality disorder features clinging, fear of separation, and a need to be cared for?

Which personality disorder features clinging, fear of separation, and a need to be cared for?

• A. Dependent personality disorder
• B. Histrionic personality disorder
• C. Borderline personality disorder
• D. Avoidant personality disorder

Answer: (A)

Excessive reliance on others for emotional support and decision-making, along with a fear of separation, signals a pattern where someone stays close to others and seeks care even when independence would be possible. This is Dependent Personality Disorder, which involves a pervasive need to be cared for, along with submissive and clingy behaviors and difficulty acting independently due to fear of abandonment or disapproval. People with this pattern often seek reassurance and defer major decisions to others, sometimes going to great lengths to maintain support and approval. In contrast, traits like a dramatic need for attention characterize Histrionic personality disorder; fear of abandonment with emotional volatility points to Borderline personality disorder; and avoidance of social situations due to feelings of inadequacy and fear of rejection describes Avoidant personality disorder.

Excessive reliance on others for emotional support and decision-making, along with a fear of separation, signals a pattern where someone stays close to others and seeks care even when independence would be possible. This is Dependent Personality Disorder, which involves a pervasive need to be cared for, along with submissive and clingy behaviors and difficulty acting independently due to fear of abandonment or disapproval. People with this pattern often seek reassurance and defer major decisions to others, sometimes going to great lengths to maintain support and approval. In contrast, traits like a dramatic need for attention characterize Histrionic personality disorder; fear of abandonment with emotional volatility points to Borderline personality disorder; and avoidance of social situations due to feelings of inadequacy and fear of rejection describes Avoidant personality disorder.