Which of the following best describes a person with dependent personality disorder?

RRB Nsg. Superintendent-2026 (Shift -3rd)

Mental Health Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: RRB Nsg. Superintendent-2026 (Shift -3rd)

Explanation

Dependent Personality Disorder (DPD) is defined by a pervasive and excessive need to be taken care of, which leads to submissive and clinging behaviors.
A core diagnostic feature is the difficulty in making everyday decisions without an excessive amount of advice and reassurance from others.
Individuals with DPD often feel helpless when alone, fear separation, and are unrealistically preoccupied with fears of being left to take care of themselves.
They will often allow others to assume responsibility for major areas of their lives due to a lack of self-confidence.

Option B: This describes Paranoid Personality Disorder, which is part of Cluster A. Its main feature is pervasive distrust and suspicion of others, interpreting their motives as malevolent.
Option C: This describes Borderline Personality Disorder, a Cluster B disorder. It is characterized by instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, emotions, and marked impulsivity.
Option D: This describes Antisocial Personality Disorder, another Cluster B disorder. It involves a pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others, often manifesting as deceitfulness, impulsivity, and lack of remorse.

Visual 1: Infographic - A chart illustrating the three clusters of personality disorders (A, B, C). Each cluster section should list the associated disorders and their core descriptive words (e.g., Cluster C: Anxious/Fearful - Avoidant, Dependent, Obsessive-Compulsive). This visual helps learners categorize and differentiate the disorders.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Characteristics of Dependent Personality Disorder as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
When caring for a patient with DPD, nurses must establish firm, supportive boundaries to avoid fostering over-dependence while simultaneously encouraging self-efficacy and independent decision-making.
A key nursing goal is to help the patient identify their own feelings and needs, and to practice assertiveness and problem-solving skills in a safe environment.
What if? If a patient with DPD is admitted for a medical procedure, they may become extremely anxious and indecisive about consenting or following post-op care. The nurse's role is to provide clear, simple information, break down decisions into manageable steps, and patiently support the patient's autonomy without making decisions for them.

How to Approach the Question

Step 1: Identify the key term in the question stem, which is 'dependent personality disorder'.
Step 2: Recall the core definition of this disorder. The word 'dependent' itself is a major clue, implying reliance on others.
Step 3: Evaluate each option to see which one aligns with the concept of dependency.
Step 4: Option A, 'difficulty making everyday decisions without advice or reassurance,' directly reflects the core feature of dependency and needing to be taken care of.
Step 5: Quickly analyze the other options to confirm they describe different pathologies. Recognize Option B as Paranoid, C as Borderline, and D as Antisocial PD. This process of elimination confirms that Option A is the only correct description for DPD.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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