A nurse in the emergency department tells an adult, "Your mother had a serious stroke." The adult tearfully says, "Who will take care of me now? My mother always told me what to do, what to wear, and what to eat. I need someone to reassure me when I get anxious." Which term best describes this behavior?

A) Histrionic
B) Dependent
C) Narcissistic
D) Borderline

The main characteristic of the dependent personality is a pervasive need to be taken care of that leads to submissive behaviors and a fear of separation. Histrionic behavior is characterized by flamboyance, attention seeking, and seductiveness. Narcissistic behavior is characterized by grandiosity and exploitive behavior. Patients with borderline personality disorder demonstrate separation anxiety, impulsivity, and splitting.