Thursday, April 2, 2015

Avoidant Personality Disorder




 Anxious [avoidant] personality disorder is characterized by feelings of tension and apprehension, insecurity and inferiority. There is a continuous yearning to be liked and accepted, a hypersensitivity to rejection and criticism with restricted personal attachments, and a tendency to avoid certain activities by habitual exaggeration of the potential dangers or risks in everyday situations.
Avoidant Personality Disorder - Diagnostic Criteria, American Psychiatric Association

An individual diagnosed with avoidant personality disorder needs to show at least 4 of the following criteria:

  • Avoids occupational activities that involve significant interpersonal contact, because of fears of criticism, disapproval, or rejection.

  • Is unwilling to get involved with people unless they are certain of being liked.

  • Shows restraint within intimate relationships because of the fear of being shamed or ridiculed.

  • Is preoccupied with being criticized or rejected in social situations.

  • Is inhibited in new interpersonal situations because of feelings of inadequacy.

  • Views self as socially inept, personally unappealing, or inferior to others.

  • Is unusually reluctant to take personal risks or to engage in any new activities because they may prove embarrassing.

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