Question

Jerry allows others to take over and run his life. He is submissive and clings to those around him. He cannot make decisions without advice and reassurance from others, probably because he lacks self-confidence. He finds it impossible to do things on his own, and he feels uncomfortable and helpless when he is alone. Which of the following diagnoses accounts for Jerryâs personality?

A. avoidant personality disorder

B. borderline personality disorder

C. dependent personality disorder

D. narcissistic personality disorder

Answer 1

The appropriate diagnosis for Jerry's symptoms, according to the DM5 (The most current versión of the diagnostic & statistical manual of mental disorders) is Dependant personality disorder.

Individuals that fall into this category are people who could be described as strongly needy and dependant on others. Jerry fulfills a lot of the symptoms of this disorder including the need of advice and input of others in routinary decision-making, difficulty to do things by his own means, and excessive preoccupation of being left on his own to take care of himself. Among other symptoms of this condition we can find, fear upon the idea of disagreeing with others feeling that it may result on disapproval of them and the urgency to start another relationship immediately after ending the last one.