DSM-5-TR · Cluster C
Dependent personality disorder
A pattern of relying heavily on others for reassurance, care, or decisions, often with a strong fear of losing support.
What dependence can look like
Someone might repeatedly ask another person to approve ordinary decisions, avoid expressing a preference for fear of losing that person’s support, or feel unable to start tasks independently. The central question is how much the pattern limits choices across different relationships or situations.
Support, interdependence, and context
People routinely rely on each other. Disability, caregiving arrangements, financial conditions, and cultural expectations can all shape what support looks like. A clinical assessment considers those circumstances. For reflection, it may help to notice whether your support makes it easier to make choices or whether fear of losing it keeps you from expressing what you want.
Reading your SimilarMinds score
The dependent scale summarizes your answers on the questionnaire. A clinical assessment considers the pattern over time, the circumstances around it, and how it affects daily life.
Take the Personality Disorder Test Avoidant personality disorder