678 Personality Disorders
Other personality disorders and personality traits. Other personality disorders may be
confused with dependent personality disorder because they ha ve certain features in com-
mon. It is therefore important to distinguis h among these disorders based on differences in
their characteristic features. However, if an individual has personality features that meet cri-
teria for one or more personality disorders in addition to dependent personality disorder, all
can be diagnosed. Although many personality disorders are characterized by dependent
features, dependent personality disorder can be distinguished by its predominantly submis-
sive, reactive, and clinging be havior. Both dependent person ality disorder and borderline
personality disorder are characterized by fe ar of abandonment; however, the individual
with borderline personality disorder reacts to  abandonment with feelings of emotional emp-
tiness, rage, and demands, whereas the individual with dependent personality disorder re-
acts with increasing appeasement and submissiveness and urgently seeks a replacement
relationship to provide caregiving and suppor t. Borderline personalit y disorder can further
be distinguished from dependen t personality disorder by a ty pical pattern of unstable and
intense relationships. Individual s with histrionic personality disorder, like those with de-
pendent personality disorder, ha ve a strong need for reassu rance and approval and may ap-
pear childlike and clinging. However, unli ke dependent personality disorder, which is
characterized by self-effacing and docile behavior, histrionic personality disorder is charac-
terized by gregarious flamboyance with acti ve demands for attention. Both dependent
personality disorder and avoidant personality di sorder are characterized by feelings of in-
adequacy, hypersensitivity to criticism, and a need for reassurance; however, individuals
with avoidant personality disorder have such a strong fear of humiliation and rejection that