In treating Dependent Personality Disorder, which element is emphasized?

• A. Psychotherapy to gain independence and assertiveness training
• B. Isolation to prevent manipulation
• C. Vaccination to prevent anxiety
• D. Group therapy without a therapist

Answer: (A)

In treating Dependent Personality Disorder, the main aim is to build independence through psychotherapy and teach assertiveness. People with this disorder tend to rely excessively on others and fear being left to cope alone. Psychotherapy focuses on helping them recognize and challenge beliefs that they can’t manage without others and on developing skills to make decisions and handle daily life on their own. Assertiveness training then provides concrete techniques for expressing needs, setting healthy boundaries, and resisting over-dependence, which gradually reduces the pattern of reliance.

This approach directly targets the core challenge—increasing autonomous functioning and reducing excessive submission to others. Other options don’t fit as well: isolation would worsen social withdrawal and dependency; vaccination is irrelevant to psychological treatment; and group therapy without a therapist lacks the guidance needed to address deeply rooted dependency.