AVOIDANT PERSONALITY DISORDER
An avoidant personality disorder is a mental disorder in which a person suffers from a lifelong pattern of extreme shyness, social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy and sensitivity to rejection.
- People with this disorder will seek to decline job offers, avoid work, school and any other activities that involve socializing or interacting with others.
- They consider themselves personally unappealing or inept for social interactions and avoid socializing for fear of being disliked, rejected or humiliated.
- People with avoidant personality disorder are so pained by the loss and rejection that they will rather choose loneliness than risk trying to connect with people.
- About 2% of the general population has the disorder.
- The avoidant behavior typically starts in early childhood and may or may not progress into adolescence and adulthood.
- People who don’t treat this disorder may develop an additional mental disorder such as depression and substance abuse
CAUSES
The causes of avoidant personality disorder are not clearly defined but they are likely to be influenced by a combination of social, genetic and psychological factors.
- The disorder may be related to inherited temperamental factors
- Childhood trauma including an emotional neglect and peer group rejection may play a major role in the development of the disorder
SYMPTOMS
Avoidant personality disorder may involve a majority of the following symptoms:
- Easily hurt by criticism or disapproval
- Reluctance to become close or involved with people unless certain of being liked
- Avoidance of activities or occupations that involve contact with others due to anxiety or fear of embarrassing yourself in front of them
- Showing intense restraint in an intimate relationship because of fear of being shamed or ridiculed
- Regards themselves as personally unappealing, socially inept and inferior to others
- Reluctance to engage in new activities or take personal risks because they may be embarrassing
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
Diagnosis of personality disorder such as avoidant personality disorder is made by a trained mental health professional.
No laboratory, blood or genetic tests are used for diagnosis. The doctor will make a determination whether your symptoms meet the criteria necessary for a diagnose
The World Health Organization’s ICD-10 lists avoidant personality disorder is characterized by at least four of the following:
- Persistent and pervasive feeling of tension and apprehension
- Belief that one is socially inept, personally unappealing or inferior to others
- Excessive preoccupation with being criticized or rejected in social situations
- Unwillingness to become involved with people unless certain of being liked
- Restrictions in lifestyle because of the need to have physical security
- Avoidance of social or occupational activities that involve significant interpersonal contact because of fear of criticism, disapproval, or rejection
TREATMENT
Treatment option may include social skills training, psychotherapy, cognitive therapy, group therapy and sometimes drug therapy. The therapist must make sure to gain and keep the patient’s trust since people with the disorder will often start to skip treatment session if they distrust the therapist or fear rejection. The goal of therapy is to help you identify your unconscious beliefs and begin challenging them to help you function better at work and socially.
Improvement in symptoms is possible with the help of treatment and individual support