Is it possible to have both Avoidant Personality Disorder and Dependent Personality Disorder?

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I have severe anxiety and OCD.

And when I was tested for any other disorders, the psychologist said I have "Avoidant/Dependent Personality Disorder." I never heard of this. And when I researched it, I found out that it's really two different disorders that basically contradict each other.

How can someone have this?
Its actually relatively common that those with avoidant personality disorder are also co morbid with dependent personality disorder.

It works like this; Being avoidant you are terrified of other people due to severe low self worth and feelings of being socially inept. You avoid almost everyone.
People with avoidant pd can however have close relationships with those few people they perceive as being "safe".
Because they have so few social relationships they cling to and hide behind the few "safe" people that they have to the point of dependency.
They require constant reassurances, availability, special treatment, and protection from the few people they do have in their lives. This coupled with fears of rejection and social ineptness means that they also look to these few people for constant direction and reassurance or even assistance "hand holding" through many if not all major decisions and activities they make in their own lives. They feel they are too inadequte and inept to funciton socially without this other person, they become dependent to get all their relational needs filled via this one other person, and because they feel they are inadequate overall they question everything they do as being potentially stupid, wrong, or not good enough and so look to these few "safe" people in their lives for reassurance and dictation about nearly everything they think, want, do etc.

Hence -dependency.

If you are comorbid this means that overall you are avoidant pd. But to those who you do deam as safe and let into your life you can become extremely dependent upon them.

Oh and a ps. It is NOT passive aggressive or codependency. They are both personality disorders. Often dependent pd results from avoidant pd.
A person may be passive aggressive too or they may not. And some relationships may be codependent some may not.  (+ info)

Can someone please tell me what Dysthymic Disorder Means, and what Dependent Personality Means?

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Looking for website on Dysthymia and Dependent Personality Disorder. Also, do most people have both good and bad days at work?
Dysthymic Disorder is a chronic condition characterized by depressive symptoms that occur for most of the day, more days than not, for at least 2 years.

Dependent Personality Disorder is a condition characterized by an over-reliance on others that leads to submissive and clinging behavior and fears of separation. The dependent and submissive behaviors arise from feeling unable to cope without the help of others.  (+ info)

What do you think is wrong with me? (maybe dependent or borderline personality disorder)?

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I kind-of think that i have a personality disorder because i am extremely shy and self punishing. I actually got in trouble in school for trying to get a teacher to punish me or give me a lesser grade because i didn't think my paper was good enough for an A.

I have most of the symptoms:
difficulty making decisions, deeply hurt by mild criticism, Submissiveness, self injury, anger (toward self), feelings of low self worth.

Please Help!
also maybe avoidance personality disorder symptoms
Many people that suspect that they have a mental illness will do research and learn all they can. This is the person that tends to do well in counseling. I don't see enough for borderline, unless you are leaving things out. but maybe depression would be another issue to research. Do you have some clues as to where the low self esteem comes from?? If you'd like to chat read my profile and e-mail me. I would be happy to make some suggestions on counseling if you live in the states. God Bless Reggie  (+ info)

What is a good book on dependent personality disorder? Not codependent?

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I have found a few websites, but nothing but sypmtoms and limited treatments. Most is on borderline personality or codependency.
"Emotional Vampires" is one I've heard a lot about, but I haven't had the chance to read it myself. It's geared more toward people who interact with others who have personality disorders. I've heard it's not filled with tons of jargon which makes it an easy read for everyone and it also encompasses all personality disorders.

Sorry I couldn't be more help. There just doesn't seem to be a lot out there on dependent personalities.  (+ info)

How to get over dependent personality disorder?

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Im trying to figure out how to be more independent. Any suggestions from someone who struggled with this and anxiety?
Are you still a teenager? if yes, keep up with your chores and get a job or volenteer for something if your old enough( you will feel to be more easily independent after getting your first job cause its a big responsibiliy depending what your working as. If you are older, participate in things such as groups and practice being more independent. If you feel your job is not challenging enough, go for a different career were you feel comfortable at. Show other people that you are a resposibal person and they will respect you more.  (+ info)

Any celebrity suffering from dependent personality disorder?

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I need the names of celebrities who suffer from dependent personality disorder...
Britney Spears  (+ info)

What is a dependent personality disorder?

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And also how is it treated?
Dependent personality disorder "is a personality disorder that is characterized by a pervasive psychological dependence on other people."

someone with the disorder:

Has difficulty making everyday decisions without an excessive amount of advice and reassurance from others

Needs others to assume responsibility for most major areas of his or her life

Has difficulty expressing disagreement with others because of fear of loss of support or approval (this does not include realistic fears of retribution)

Has difficulty initiating projects or doing things on his or her own (because of a lack of self-confidence in judgment or abilities rather than a lack of motivation or energy)

Goes to excessive lengths to obtain nurturance and support from others, to the point of volunteering to do things that are unpleasant

Feels uncomfortable or helpless when alone because of exaggerated fears of being unable to care for himself or herself

Urgently seeks another relationship as a source of care and support when a close relationship ends

Is unrealistically preoccupied with fears of being left to take care of himself or herself

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It is treated with use of psychotherapy and antidepressants/ anti anxiety medications.  (+ info)

Does anyone know of a good self help book on dependent personality disorder?

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I don't know of a book but http://www.toolstolife.com will be a great help to most people

well check out those books under " psychology" in the library  (+ info)

Is this one of the symptoms of Dependent Personality Disorder?

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Being easily influenced by others' opinions.
Dependent Personality Disorder is manifested via passively allowing others to assume responsibility for major areas of ones life due to lack of self-confidence or lack of ability to function independently. This leads to the person making their own needs secondary to the needs of others, and then becoming dependent on them. While everyone is dependent on others for some parts of their lives, those with dependent personality disorder are dependent on almost all major areas of their lives, and view themselves poorly, and good only as extensions of others.

symptoms are
has difficulty making everyday decisions without an excessive amount of advice and reassurance from others
needs others to assume responsibility for most major areas of his or her life
has difficulty expressing disagreement with others because of fear of loss of support or approval.
has difficulty initiating projects or doing things on his or her own (because of a lack of self-confidence in judgment or abilities rather than a lack of motivation or energy)
goes to excessive lengths to obtain nurturance and support from others, to the point of volunteering to do things that are unpleasant
feels uncomfortable or helpless when alone because of exaggerated fears of being unable to care for himself or herself
urgently seeks another relationship as a source of care and support when a close relationship ends
is unrealistically preoccupied with fears of being left to take care of himself or herself  (+ info)

Dependent and/or Borderline Personality Disorder. How are you dealing with it?

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My ex bf dumped me months ago and I feel that I cannot be happy without him still. Also, I am terrified of being alone, even on weekends and I am constantly hounding my friends what there plans are. Since I live alone, if no one goes out with me, I literally cry and try to put myself to sleep all night with Ambien.

To all those who suffer like me, how are you dealing with it? How did you overcome it?
I understand. I've been there. well, still am- but working on it. why don't YOU make the plans and ask THEM to join? This way they see that you are the fun, confident person that you are (or can be) and you feel good about yourself because you are being proactive and doing something for yourself rather than relying on others to make the loneliness go away.   (+ info)

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