Praising Others - Dependent Personality Disorder

November 20, 2013 3:22 PM

Is there a specific disorder when one goes to all costs to avoid rocking the boat, overpraises others , and always feels the need to project a sunny emotional state all in order to gain the affection and adoration of others? (While actually being in a state of anxiety about being liked?)
posted by M83 to Human Relations (5 answers total)

Is the person in question the child of an alcoholic, by any chance? It's pretty classic ACOA stuff.
posted by something something at 3:39 PM on November 20, 2013 [7 favorites]

This behaviour is probably on the dysfunctional family / codependency spectrum. It's one of the roles that a family member might play - cheerleader or hero. Try the website, Light's House for lots of info.
posted by Calzephyr at 4:17 PM on November 20, 2013 [4 favorites]

I think you captured it in your title: Dependent Personality Disorder. Also consider Histrionic Personality Disorder, though from your description it doesn't sound like as much of a match.
posted by xiaolongbao at 4:21 PM on November 20, 2013

Best answer: Also is a fear based way of thinking: he or she is making all decisions based on fear of disapproval.
posted by little_dog_laughing at 8:08 PM on November 20, 2013 [1 favorite]

Subjugation schema?
posted by St. Peepsburg at 10:06 PM on November 20, 2013 [1 favorite]