Avoidant Personality Disorder is a personality disorder where individuals are timid and shy, and because they are so uncomfortable and afraid of rejection or criticism, they avoid social contact. However, they do wish to have friends, unlike individuals with schizoid personality. In addition, they are self-critical and have low self-esteem. If affected individuals are given strong guarantees of uncritical acceptance, however, they will make friends and participate in social gatherings.
A pervasive pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by 4
(or more) of the following:
Psychotherapy is the main treatment of choice, and group modalities may be even more helpful. Cognitive behaviour therapy (similar approach for social phobia), psychodynamic therapy, and schema therapy have all be studied.[5] Therapists should encourage gradual exposures into the world, and stay aware of threats to the patient's self-esteem.
Guideline | Location | Year | Website | |
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World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) | International | 2009 | - | Link |