Dependent personality disorder

This code represents a pervasive and excessive need to be taken care of, leading to submissive and clinging behavior and fears of separation. Individuals with this disorder struggle with making everyday decisions without excessive reassurance and often feel helpless when alone.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of dependent personality disorder, characterized by a pattern of dependence and submissiveness. This diagnosis should be made by a qualified mental health professional based on established diagnostic criteria.

• Ensure the medical record explicitly states a diagnosis of dependent personality disorder, not just dependent traits.
• Differentiate from other personality disorders, such as avoidant or borderline, which may share some features but have distinct diagnostic criteria.
• Consider sequencing if other mental health diagnoses are present; the primary reason for the encounter should be coded first.