Avoidant Personality Disorder (APD) is a mental health disorder whereby the affected person struggles with interacting and relating with others and functioning in their own daily life. All the personality disorders (there are a total of 10) cause impairments in social functioning; however, with APD, the emphasis of the person’s issues center around difficulty with social interactions.
People with avoidant personality disorder (APD) have a lifelong pattern of extreme shyness. They also feel inadequate and are hypersensitive to rejection. APD can cause psychiatric symptoms that create serious problems with relationships and work.
Avoidant Personality Disorder Symptoms
Avoidant personality disorder symptoms include a variety of behaviors, such as:
- Extreme social inhibition
- Socially awkward behaviors
- Sensitivity to negative criticism and rejection from others
- Feelings of inadequacy or imagining that they are inferior to others
- Avoidance of social activities due to fear of criticism or rejection from others
- Self-inflicted isolation
- Low self-esteem
- Difficulty connecting with others
- Unwilling to get involved with anyone unless they are sure they will be liked and accepted
- Fear of being shamed or ridiculed
- Obsession with being publicly humiliated, criticized, or rejected
- Inhibited in any new social situation because of feeling inadequate or inferior to others
- Avoidance of trying new things due to the possibility of being embarrassed
Who is in Danger of Avoidant Personality Disorder?
It is highly unlikely to realize who will develop APD. People who have the disorder are typically very shy as children. However, not every child who is shy goes on to develop the disorder. Likewise, not every adult who is shy has a disorder.
If you have APD, your shyness most likely grew as you got older. It might have arrived at the point that you started keeping away from other people and certain situations
The Differences Between Shy and APD
There are many personality traits that can cause any person to struggle when it comes to social interactions. For instance, people who are considered introverted, shy can have problems interacting with others and in some instances may even avoid interacting with people or groups altogether.
However, APD represents much more than someone being shy around strangers or preferring to not be the life of the party. The behaviors of a person with APD are much more extreme and significantly interfere with the person’s quality of life and ability to function. Whereas a shy person may loosen up once they get to know someone or an introverted person can enjoy themselves for a little while at a party—the behaviors of someone with APD are fixed and unchangeable. They don’t struggle socially at times—they struggle always. And it usually does not stop at simply affecting the person with APD.
Typically, those closest to the person, such as family members, are often impacted by the severity of the person’s behavior and inability to function. Loved ones can even assume a caretaking role in many respects because the person with APD may not be able to do things like hold a regular job, live alone or have a romantic relationship and a household of their own.
What causes avoidant personality disorder?
The cause of APD and other personality disorders is unknown. Researchers think genetic and environmental factors might play a role.
How is avoidant personality disorder treated?
The goal of therapy is to help you identify your unconscious beliefs about yourself and how others see you. It also aims to help you function better socially and at work, Psychotherapy is the most effective treatment for APD. Your therapist may use psychodynamic psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral therapy.
Psychodynamic psychotherapy
Psychodynamic therapy is a form of talk therapy. It helps you become aware of your unconscious thoughts. It can help you understand how past experiences influence your current behavior. This allows you to examine and resolve past emotional pains and conflicts. Then you can move forward with a healthier outlook about yourself and how others see you. Psychodynamic psychotherapy produces lasting results with benefits that continue after treatment.
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is another form of talk therapy. In CBT, a therapist helps you recognize and replace unhealthy beliefs and thought processes. Your therapist will encourage you to examine and test your thoughts and beliefs to see if they have a factual basis. They’ll also help you develop alternative, healthier thoughts.
Medication
The FDA hasn’t approved any medications to treat personality disorders. However, your doctor may prescribe antidepressant medications if you have co-occurring depression or anxiety.
What is the outlook for an avoidant personality disorder?
People who don’t receive treatment for APD may isolate themselves. As a result, they may develop an additional psychiatric disorder, such as:
- Social phobia
- Depression
- Agoraphobia
- Substance abuse problems
- Borderline personality disorder
- Dependent personality disorder
Treatment doesn’t change your personality. You’ll most likely always be shy and have some difficulty with social and work interactions. But treatment can improve your symptoms and help you develop the ability to relate to others.
Resources:
healthline.com
webmd.com
Kazmo Brain Center is a counseling center located in Frisco, Texas specializing in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and can help you toward a happier and more satisfying position.
