Cinderella Complex.
The hallmarks of Dependent Personality Disorder are pervasive and excessive need to be taken care of that leads to clinging behavior, submissiveness, fear of separation, and interpersonal dependency.
Dependent personality disorder is also commonly known as Cinderella Complex.
Cinderella Complex
We all know the Disney princess CINDERELLA. Known for her beauty all over the Disney world, we also find the effects of patriarchy on her. Cinderella is portrayed as a woman who is beautiful, polite, hardworking, and always in need to please others.
Traditionally it has been believed that women should be gentle, docile, quiet, should be without any fault, ie the paragon of beauty charm. Though we love the princesses of Disney, we can find some effect of patriarchy, also some of the Disney princesses suffered from psychological disorders. The Cinderella complex was first described by Colette Dowling. It does seem that Cinderella has Dependent Personality Disorder (DPD).
Diagnostic criteria for dependent personality disorder
- Difficulty in making everyday decisions with the excessive need for assurance from others.
- Need for others to take responsibility for personal life.
- The difficulty is expressing criticism or disagreement.
- Urgent search for another relationship as a source of care and support when a close relationship ends.
- exaggerated fears of being unable to take care of self pessimism, self-doubt, self-devaluation
Risk Factors
- Pessimism and self-doubt make their abilities belittle.
- Any criticism is taken as self-worthlessness.
- can not grow higher in any job due to dependency in making decisions.
- Constant stress and anxiety
- Chronic depression
Word from PsychHelp
Cinderella Complex is common in women more than men. But not all women who are dependent on others have this complex. Many women have good relationships with others and maintain mutual dependent relationships.
When the woman is suffering, and this dependency is maladaptive, then the person may seek help from a psychologist who is trained in psychotherapy. Psychotherapy can help overcome the fear of abandonment, anxiety and help improve quality of life.