What is Avoidant Personality Disorder?

Identifying personality disorders:

Personality problems typically start in adolescence or early adulthood. A personality disorder is a mental illness in which you have a strict and harmful way of thinking, functioning, and acting. A personality disordered individual has difficulty perceiving and relating to situations and people. Relationships, social activities, job, and school are all hampered as a result of this.

One might not recognize he has a personality disorder since your style of thinking and acting appears natural to you. One may also blame others for your difficulties. Personality problems come in a variety of forms. During middle age, some types may become less noticeable. Personality disorders make it difficult for people to cope with ordinary tensions and issues.

Classification of personality disorder:

Personality problems can make it difficult for people to recognize that they have a problem. Their thoughts seem ordinary to them, and they frequently blame others for their issues. Because of their issues with relationships and job, they may seek assistance. Treatment mainly consists of conversation therapy and, on rare occasions, medication.

Based on similar characteristics and symptoms, personality disorders are divided into three clusters namely cluster A, cluster B and cluster C. Many people who have one personality disorder also show signs and symptoms of another personality disorder. To be diagnosed with a condition, you don’t have to show all of the signs and symptoms listed.

What is avoidant personality disorder (AVPD) in clinical terms?

Avoidant personality disorder is grouped with other personality disorders marked by feelings of nervousness and fear. People with avoidant personality disorder have chronic feelings of inadequacy and are highly sensitive to being negatively judged by others. Though they would like to interact with others, they tend to avoid social interaction due to the intense fear of being rejected by others.

Causes of AVPD:

• Genetic, environmental, social, and psychological factors are thought to play a role in the development of avoidant personality disorder.
• If other elements are present, emotional abuse, criticism, ridicule, or a lack of compassion or nurturing by a parent or caregiver throughout childhood may result in the development of this personality disorder.
• Peer rejection could also be a risk factor and can be causing avoidant personality disorder.
• Individuals with the disorder are frequently shy as children and do not grow out of it as they get older.
• Environmental influences, especially during childhood, play a significant effect.
• Shyness, which is common in early children, persists in persons with avoidant personality disorder into adolescence and maturity.
• Past experiences of parental or peer rejection, which can affect a person’s self-esteem and sense of worth, are common among those with the disease.

Symptoms of AVPD:

• Fear of being judged or rejected at work, in social situations, or at school. Even when you are not, you may feel as if you are frequently unwelcome in social situations.
• Hypersensitivity to negative evaluation is a symptom of AVPD.
• Misinterpreting neutral situations as negative
• People with avoidant personality disorder have a low tolerance for criticism and frequently believe they are inferior to others.
• Another symptom is low self-esteem.
• Unwillingness to get involved with people unless they are certain of being liked.
• Views self as socially inept, personally unappealing, or inferior to others.
• There is often a lack of assertiveness.
• Is unusually reluctant to take personal risks or to engage in any new activities because they may prove embarrassing.
• Shows restraint within intimate relationships because of the fear of being shamed or ridiculed.
• It is often difficult to have trust in others for people suffering from AVPD.

Treatment of avoidant personality disorder:

People with avoidant personality disorder are often good candidates for treatment because their disease causes them significant suffering, and the majority of them wish to form relationships. This drive can help patients with avoidant personality disorder stay on track with their treatment efforts. Residential treatment in best rehabs of India also helps and is one of the best treatments for personality disorders.

• Psychotherapy, like other personality disorders, is the primary treatment for avoidant personality disorder.
• Individual counseling that focuses on modifying a person’s thoughts (cognitive therapy) and behavior is known as psychotherapy (behavioral therapy).
• The focus of therapy is likely to be on conquering fears, altering cognitive processes and actions, and assisting the client in better coping with social circumstances.
• Medication, such as an antidepressant or anti-anxiety medicine, may be used to help patients with this illness control their anxiety.

Written by

Shaili Mehta

Veda rehab and wellness