The hallmarks of Avoidant Personality Disorder are pervasive and excessive hypersensitivity to negative evaluation, social inhibition, and feelings of inadequacy.
Starting in early adulthood, individuals with an avoidant personality disorder do not involve in any activities, be it professional or personal, where there is the involvement of interpersonal relationships.
Diagnostic criteria for avoidant personality disorder
The main feature to evaluate an individual with avoidant personality disorder is pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy.
- Avoid work that involves significant interpersonal relationships due to fear of criticism or rejection.
- Avoid making new friends due to fear of being unliked.
- Form intimate relationships only when they are sure that there is no criticism.
- Preoccupation with thoughts of rejection and being criticized.
- Exaggerating the dangers of normal situations and limit their social life.
Risk factors
Individuals with avoidant personality disorder develop social phobia over the course of time. This inhibits their capabilities on a professional and personal level.
- These patients are at increased risk for Mood and Anxiety Disorders (especially Social Phobia, generalized type). The most common co-occurring disorders are Schizotypal, Schizoid, Paranoid, Dependent, and Borderline.
- Their fearful and timid nature may be described as shy and cost them good opportunities.
- Low self-esteem.
- Low professional growth due to inability in forming relationships.
Word from PsychHelp
Avoidant PD is very difficult to distinguish from Social Phobia (many authors believe that these are alternative labels for the same or similar condition). In Social Phobia, specific situations rather than interpersonal contact are avoided. Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia also manifests avoidance but usually after the onset of panic attacks.