Avoidant Personality Disorder

Avoidant personality disorder is:

• A pattern of avoiding people and social situations out of fear of being rejected or criticized

People with avoidant personality disorder:

• Have low self-esteem and are very sensitive to criticism

• Want friends but have trouble making them

• Avoid social situations because they're embarrassed or fearful or being made fun of

• Avoid interacting with new people or taking on new responsibility at work

• Tend to be quiet and shy because they're worried they'll say the wrong thing

• See themselves as unworthy and assume other people disapprove of them

• Don't want to try new activities or take risks

Lots of people are a little anxious in social situations or when meeting new people. And no one enjoys being criticized. But these kinds of feelings can become a disorder if they keep people from succeeding at work or enjoying a normal life, or if people become preoccupied with their difficulties.

Avoidant personality disorder is more common in women. People with the disorder often also have depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) , anxiety, or another personality disorder.

Avoidant personality disorder is probably caused by both:

• Your genes (the genetic information passed to you from your parents)

• Your experiences and upbringing

Doctors treat avoidant personality disorder with:

• Counseling or talk therapy that focuses on social skills

• Sometimes, other types of therapy

• Medicine for any anxiety and depression