Personality disorders Quiz: Ace Your Exams

A 29-year-old woman comes to the office for a routine check-up at the prompting of her parent. The patient’s parent reports that the patient has endured emotional abuse by her partner. The patient refuses to end the relationship with her partner and feels uneasy when the partner is not around. She adds, “I'm worried that if I leave the relationship, my life will only get worse.” She has not been employed since she started dating and living with her partner, and she is convinced that nobody would hire her. A review of her medical record indicates that she has endured several episodes of verbal abuse from prior relationships, which she suggested “were all her fault.” She has had four prior serious relationships and reports that she has not been single for more than a few weeks in the last 10 years. The patient’s parent states that they manage most of her finances and that the patient is “unable to handle it on her own.” She does not have any friends outside of her romantic relationship. Vitals are within normal limits. Physical examination is unremarkable. Which of the following best describes the underlying cause of this patient’s behavior?