Avoidant personality disorder
Avoidant personality disorder (AvPD) is a type of personality disorder, a long-term mental illness.
Symptoms
changePeople diagnosed with avoidant personality disorder are socially inhibited, meaning that they are shy and afraid of social situations.[1] They feel that they are not good people and are afraid of people rejecting them.[1] They are very sensitive to other people saying bad or negative things about them.[1]
Diagnosis
changePsychiatrists and other mental health professionals diagnose people with avoidant personality disorder using a book called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR). They look at a person's behaviour and how they are feeling. If the person has four or more of the following signs, the DSM-IV-TR says that they have AvPD.[2]
- Avoids jobs or activities that involve a lot of contact with other people because of being very afraid of rejection or being criticised by other people
- Does not want to get involved with people unless they are sure that the other person likes them
- Is restrained or reserved in relationships and does not let people get too close because of being afraid of being made to feel bad
- Spends a lot of time thinking about being criticised or rejected in social situations
- Feels inhibited when meeting new people because of feeling not as good as other people
- Thinks that they are not good with people, not attractive, or not as good as other people
- Does not like to take risks or do new things in case they get embarrassed or feel bad
The symptoms of AvPD are much more serious than ordinary shyness.[1]
References
change- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Rettew, David C.; Michael S Jellinek, Alicia C Doyle (4 March 2008). "Avoidant Personality Disorder". eMedicine. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
- ↑ Emmelkamp, Paul M. G.; Jan Henk Kamphuis (2007). Personality Disorders. Psychology Press. p. 14. ISBN 978-0415385183.