asthenic personality disorder

Asthenic personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of lacking energy and initiative, leading individuals to subordinate their own needs and responsibilities to others. People with this disorder often feel inadequate and rely on others to make decisions and plans for them. Their behavior can be clingy, deferent, and eager to please, often accompanied by an intense fear of abandonment. This is considered one of the more common personality disorders, and individuals may experience significant discomfort when alone due to a lack of self-confidence.1

It's important to distinguish this from asthenia, which is a general medical term for a lack of bodily strength or energy, often associated with chronic illnesses or specific organ system weaknesses. While both involve a lack of energy, asthenic personality disorder is a psychological condition related to ingrained behavioral patterns and interpersonal functioning.23