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Personality

Dependent personality disorder

Excessive need for others to take care of you, with submissive behavior and fear of separation or making decisions alone.

Common signs

Finds it hard to decide without adviceFear of being aloneAccepts things they don't want so as not to lose someone

Tips

For you

  1. Make small decisions on your own
  2. Work on self-esteem and boundaries
  3. Therapy for emotional dependence

For family and friends

  1. Encourage them to decide and accept their decisions
  2. Don't sort everything out for them

When to ask for help

  1. If you put up with abuse for fear of being alone: 016
  2. If anxiety or depression appear

Guidance test

Answer thinking about the last few weeks. There are 8 questions and you get your result straight away. Your answers are not saved or sent.

0 of 8
1. I find it hard to make decisions without advice
2. I need others to take on responsibilities for me
3. I find it hard to disagree for fear of losing support
4. I find it hard to start things on my own
5. I do unpleasant things so that others will look after me
6. I feel helpless when I'm alone
7. If a relationship ends, I urgently look for another
8. I'm terrified of being alone
Also take the full attachment style test →

Free resources

Downloadable PDF sheetSigns, tips and resources to print or saveFree guide: CouplesFree resource from Clínica Vivaldi

Related disorders

Paranoid personality disorderPersonalitySchizoid personality disorderPersonalitySchizotypal personality disorderPersonalityAntisocial personality disorderPersonality

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Reviewed by María Teresa Fernández Vicente, health psychologist and neuropsychologist (registration no. CV17304), in November 2026. Educational information prepared by the Clínica Vivaldi team based on the DSM-5-TR classification. It does not replace a professional assessment and cannot be used to diagnose.