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 Jerry's personality?

narcissistic personality disorder Difficulty: ModerateAPA Standard: 1.1, 1.3
avoidant personality disorder
borderline personality disorder
dependent personality disorder

Answer 1

Jerry exhibits clear signs of dependent personality disorder, characterized by his excessive need for care, difficulty making decisions without others, and uneasiness at being alone.

Step-by-step explanation:

Jerry's characteristics of being submissive, overly clinging, and seeking constant advice and reassurance from others, coupled with significant difficulty making decisions independently and discomfort when alone, are indicative of dependent personality disorder. His behavior aligns with the traits of this disorder, which include an excessive need to be taken care of, leading to submissive and clinging behaviors, and fears of separation. This stands in contrast to avoidant personality disorder, where there would be a pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation, and narcissistic personality disorder, characterized by a grandiose sense of self-importance, need for excessive admiration, and lack of empathy. Finally, borderline personality disorder often involves instability in relationships, self-image, and affects, and marked impulsivity, which are not the central issues described in Jerry's case.