To a certain extent, trusting and relying on others is quite normal, moreover, these are adaptive properties of behavior, but as always, extreme forms of such behavior can give rise to signs of dependent personality disorder (DPD). The peculiarity of this personality disorder is the “total pattern of dependent and submissive behavior that emerges in early adulthood and manifests itself in a variety of life contexts” (DSM criterion). A person with dependent personality disorder must be very attentive to giving pleasure to another person and, accordingly, avoid conflict due to the fear of jeopardizing significant relationships and being left alone... At appointments, I often see clients who have been in “violent relationships” for a long time who in fact are victims, but do not strive to get out of them and continue to be submissive because of their “dependent” beliefs. And most often, against the background of this, various anxiety disorders and severe depression arise. What is characteristic of dependent-type personalities? Assessing oneself as helpless, incompetent individuals. Idealizing a “strong” person next to oneself; moreover, the dependent personality functions quite well and feels knowing that there is a “guardian” nearby. “I can’t be happy if they don’t love me,” “I can’t handle it alone.” Such people believe that they need a continuous flow of support and encouragement. They experience anxiety about the possible rupture of dependent relationships, so most often they support the “guardian” and, conversely, feel euphoria when dependent relationships are realized. Cognitive or cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy is used as therapy, the goal of which is to develop independence in the patient and establish normal connections with the immediate environment. During therapy, improvements are noted precisely in the first stages, since the “psychotherapist” can take the role of a guardian in the eyes “dependent” person. But, as a rule, there may be setbacks at subsequent stages, since usually you have to act independently of the psychotherapist and build autonomy…