Avoidant (Anxious)

Personality Disorder

Definition

• is a condition characterized by extreme shyness, feelings of inadequacy, and sensitivity to rejection. These individuals feel inferior to others.

• they have a longstanding pattern of shyness, feelings of inferiority, and hypersensitivity to rejection/embarrassment.

The core features of this

disorder are:

1. Negative Emotion

2. Detachment

Symptoms of Avoidant Personality

Disorder

• Avoids occupational activities

• Is unwilling to get involved with people

• Shows restraint within intimate relationships

• Is preoccupied

• Is inhibited

• Socially Inept

• Reluctant to take personality risks

This disorder is only diagnosed if:

1. it begins no later than early adulthood

2. these behaviors occur at home, work, and in the community,

and

3. these behaviors lead to clinically significant distress or

impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of

functioning. Avoidant Personality Disorder should not be

diagnosed if its symptoms can be better explained as due to

another mental disorder, Substance Use Disorder, or another

medical condition.