Treatment outlines for avoidant, dependent and passive-aggressive personality disorders were developed by having nominated experts consider their own views in the light of the treatment literature and the responses of practising psychiatrists. The experts recommend that long-term psychotherapy is the treatment of choice and that a considerable component of the outcome will be related to the therapeutic relationship. Assessment, general approaches to treatment, and strategies in psychodynamic management are outlined in some detail. For those individuals for whom long-term therapy is not available or appropriate, other therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, can be promising.
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