A psychological aspect of Susan Smith: Dependent Personality DisorderOn October 25, 1994, Susan Smith drowned her two sons, Michael and Alex, in Lake John D. Long, in the Union County, South Carolina. For nine days, she lied about knowing where the boys were. On November 3, she confessed to the murders and was soon to stand trial. Susan's defense team hired a psychiatrist to conduct a psychiatric evaluation of her. He was diagnosed with dependent personality disorder. He described her as a person who "feels like she can't do anything alone." “She constantly needs affection and is terrified of being alone. » She was only depressed when she was alone. The psychiatrist studied her family history and concluded that, based on her family history and interviews with her, Susan had a tendency toward depression that began in her childhood. Susan's lawyer argued that his client was psychologically destabilized by a lifetime of betrayal. A father who committed suicide when she was six years old, a stepfather who sexually abused her when she was a child, a husband who cheated on her, and a boyfriend who played with her affections (Pergament). Her boyfriend testified that "the pleasure she got from sex wasn't physical pleasure, it was just being close and loved." The psychiatrist testified that Susan had sex with four different men in the six weeks before the murders and that she began drinking heavily during this time (Pergament). Alcoholism is a component of dependent personality disorder. After just four days of testimony, the defense rested its case. Susan was charged with two counts of murder and sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole in 30 years, in 2025. Dependent personality disorder is an inability to function without significant dependence on a energetic or dominant person who gives him directions. People diagnosed with dependent personality disorder are generally quiet and need attention, validation, and social contact. Lack of self-confidence and dependence on others are typical. Threatened with loneliness or separation, an addicted person may panic and feel a deep sense of helplessness (Gillihan). The person may be convinced that they are incapable ... middle of paper ... most effective treatment (Gillihan). In conclusion, the National Mental Health Association suggests that: There are many types of help available for different personality disorders. Treatment may include individual, group, or family psychotherapy. Medications prescribed by a patient's doctor may also be helpful in relieving some symptoms of personality disorders, including anxiety and depression. References American Psychiatric Association (1994). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-IV. (4th ed.). Washington, DC: AuthorBornstein, Robert F. (1993). The dependent personality. New York: Guilford Press Gillihan, Lori. (nd). Dependent personality disorder. Retrieved March 1, 2002, from http://cstl-coe.semo.eduNational Mental Health Association. (nd). Personality disorders. Retrieved from http://www.nmha.orgPergament, Rachel. (nd). Susan Smith: child murderer or victim? Retrieved March 1, 2002, from http://www.crimelibrary.com Rey, Joseph M. (1996) Antecedents of Personality Disorders in Young Adults. Psychiatric Times, 13 (2). Retrieved March 1, 2002 from http://www.mhsource.com