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What is avoidant personality disorder?Avoidant personality disorder (AVPD) is a personality disorder. People with AVPD often have a long history of feeling inadequate (not enough) and are very sensitive to what others think about them. Show
Someone with an avoidant personality disorder will appear shy and timid. But this is much more than just being ‘shy’. You may avoid people because you feel inferior, even though you really want to have company. You are very sensitive to judgements by others and fear rejection. These feelings are chronic and intense. They negatively affect your ability to engage and function through life. What are the symptoms of avoidant personality disorder?A personality disorder is a long-term pattern of behaviour, thinking and emotions. It causes distress and makes it difficult to function in everyday life. People with personality disorders find it hard to change their behaviour or adapt to different situations. You may have trouble forming positive relationships with others or keeping a job. For an AVPD diagnosis you need 4 or more of the symptoms listed below:
Many people have some of these traits but are still able to function normally. These people do not have a personality disorder. What causes avoidant personality disorder?The cause of AVPD is not known. Some people with avoidant personality disorder:
When should I see my doctor?If you are finding it difficult to look after your mental health issues, try the healthdirect Symptom Checker. Get advice on when to get professional help. healthdirect Symptom Checker guides you through the appropriate healthcare steps. Whether it’s self-care, talking to a health professional, going to a hospital or calling triple zero (000). CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help. FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services. How is avoidant personality disorder diagnosed?A psychiatrist or clinical psychologist can find out if you have AVPD. They will get to know you over time. It is important to rule out other psychiatric disorders such as depression, drug abuse or anxiety. How is avoidant personality disorder treated?The main form of treatment for avoidant personality disorder is psychological therapy. This includes: psychodynamic therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy. This therapy covers:
Interpersonal therapy is another type of treatment for AVPD. No medicines have been tested or approved for the use in avoidant personality disorder. Can avoidant personality disorder be prevented?AVPD can't be prevented as the cause is unknown. However, it's best to get treatment as soon as possible. Complications of avoidant personality disorderWithout treatment people with avoidant personality disorder may end up living a life in near or total isolation. This can result in them getting a second psychiatric disorder such as substance abuse or depression. This can stop them living life to its full potential. Resources and SupportYou can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222. A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Avoidant personality disorder is characterized by the avoidance of social situations or interactions that involve risk of rejection, criticism, or humiliation. Diagnosis is by clinical criteria. Treatment is with psychotherapy, anxiolytics, and antidepressants. People with avoidant personality disorder have intense
feelings of inadequacy and cope maladaptively by avoiding any situations in which they may be evaluated negatively. Reported prevalence of avoidant personality disorder in the US varies, but estimated prevalence is about 2.4%. Avoidant personality disorder affects women and men equally. Comorbidities are common. Patients often also have
major depressive disorder
Major depression (unipolar disorder) Depressive disorders are characterized by sadness severe enough or persistent enough to interfere with function and often by decreased interest or pleasure in activities. Exact cause is unknown... read more , persistent depressive disorder,
obsessive-compulsive disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by recurrent, persistent, unwanted, and intrusive thoughts, urges, or images (obsessions) and/or by repetitive behaviors or mental acts that... read more , or an
anxiety disorder
Overview of Anxiety Disorders Everyone periodically experiences fear and anxiety. Fear is an emotional, physical, and behavioral response to an immediately recognizable external threat (eg, an intruder, a car spinning on... read more (eg,
panic disorder
Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder A panic attack is the sudden onset of a discrete, brief period of intense discomfort, anxiety, or fear accompanied by somatic and/or cognitive symptoms. Panic disorder is occurrence of repeated... read more , particularly
social phobia
Social Phobia Social phobia is fear of and anxiety about being exposed to certain social or performance situations. These situations are avoided or endured with substantial anxiety. Phobias are a type of... read more [social anxiety disorder]). They may also have another personality disorder (eg,
dependent
Dependent Personality Disorder (DPD) Dependent personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive, excessive need to be taken care of, leading to submissiveness and clinging behaviors. Diagnosis is by clinical criteria. Treatment... read more ,
borderline
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) Borderline personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of instability and hypersensitivity in interpersonal relationships, instability in self-image, extreme mood fluctuations... read more ). Patients with social phobia and avoidant
personality disorder have more severe symptoms and disability than those with either disorder alone. Research suggests that experiences of rejection and marginalization during childhood and innate traits of social anxiousness and avoidance may contribute to avoidant personality disorder. Avoidance in social situations has been detected as early as about age 2 years. Patients with avoidant personality disorder avoid social interaction, including those at work, because they fear that they will be criticized or rejected or that people will disapprove of them, as in the following situations: They may refuse a promotion because they fear coworkers will criticize them. They may avoid meetings. They avoid making new friends unless they are sure they will be liked. These patients assume people will be critical and disapproving until rigorous tests proving the contrary are passed. Thus, before joining a group and forming a close relationship, patients with this disorder require repeated assurances of support and uncritical acceptance. Patients with avoidant personality disorder long for social interaction but fear placing their well-being in the hands of others. Because these patients limit their interactions with people, they tend to be relatively isolated and do not have a social network that could help them when they need it. These patients are very sensitive to anything slightly critical, disapproving, or mocking because they constantly think about being criticized or rejected by others. They are vigilant for any sign of a negative response to them. Their tense, anxious appearance may elicit mockery or teasing, thus seeming to confirm their self-doubts. Low self-esteem and a sense of inadequacy inhibit these patients in social situations, especially new ones. Interactions with new people are inhibited because patients think of themselves as socially inept, unappealing, and inferior to others. They tend to be quiet and timid and try to disappear because they tend to think that if they say anything, others will say it is wrong. They are reluctant to talk about themselves lest they be mocked or humiliated. They worry they will blush or cry when they are criticized. Patients with avoidant personality disorder are very reluctant to take personal risks or participate in new activities for similar reasons. In such cases, they tend to exaggerate the dangers and use minimal symptoms or other problems to explain their avoidance. They may prefer a limited lifestyle because of their need for security and certainty.
For a diagnosis of avoidant personality disorder, patients must have
This pattern is shown by the presence of ≥ 4 of the following:
Also, symptoms must have begun by early adulthood. Avoidant personality disorder must be distinguished from the following 2 disorders:
Patients with avoidant personality disorder often avoid treatment. Effective therapies for patients with both social phobia and avoidant personality disorder include
Patients with avoidant personality disorder benefit from
Psychodynamic psychotherapy, which focuses on underlying conflicts, may be helpful. Click here for Patient Education  Copyright © 2022 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and its affiliates. All rights reserved. What are the general characteristics of avoidant personality disorder?They tend to be shy, awkward, and self-conscious in social situations due to a fear of doing something wrong or being embarrassed. They tend to exaggerate potential problems. They seldom try anything new or take chances. They have a poor self-image, seeing themselves as inadequate and inferior.
What are three symptoms of avoidant personality?Avoidant Personality Disorder Symptoms
AVPD symptoms are characterized by three major components: Social inhibition. Feelings of inadequacy. Sensitivity to criticism or rejection.
What is an example of avoidant personality disorder?People with avoidant personality disorder avoid social interaction, even at work, because they fear that they will be criticized or rejected or that people will disapprove of them. For example, they may do the following: They may refuse a promotion because they fear coworkers will criticize them.
What is it like living with avoidant personality disorder?If you live with avoidant personality disorder, others might think of you as shy, reserved, or private. This condition goes beyond being bashful, although early signs often include childhood timidness. Shy people might have trouble connecting with new people at first but gradually feel more comfortable as time goes on.
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What are the characteristics of a person diagnosed with avoidant personality disorder?
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