Avoidant personality disorder (AVPD): symptoms, testing, and treatment
Reviewed by Yael Cooperman, MD, Ro,
Written by Amelia Willson
Reviewed by Yael Cooperman, MD, Ro,
Written by Amelia Willson
last updated: Aug 05, 2021
4 min read
Here's what we'll cover
We all experience moments of shyness or awkwardness from time to time. For people with avoidant personality disorder (AVPD), however, those feelings are almost always present––and amplified to the point of distress on a day-to-day basis.
People with AVPD are extremely inhibited in social situations due to feelings of shame, inadequacy, and low self-esteem. They’re so worried about being rejected or criticized in a social setting that it leads them to avoid social interaction as much as possible. This interferes with their ability to maintain relationships and detracts from their quality of life.
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What is avoidant personality disorder?
AVPD is a personality disorder characterized by chronic feelings of discomfort, fear, and lack of confidence in social situations. Nearly one in every 30 people have AVPD, and it’s more common in women (Fariba, 2021).
People with AVPD want to connect with others and engage in social situations, but are so fearful of rejection or judgment that they tend to hold back or withdraw instead (Weinbrecht, 2016).
People with AVPD are deeply afraid of social rejection, embarrassment, criticism, and ridicule. Their symptoms make it hard to believe that people like them. Individuals with AVPD often feel unwelcome, even in situations where people are genuinely happy to see them.
AVPD may make it difficult to speak up in group conversations out of fear of being laughed at for saying the wrong thing. As mentioned, those with AVPD are hypersensitive to rejection, which can lead them to misinterpret comments as criticism.
AVPD interferes with a person’s ability to form and maintain friendships and romantic relationships. These individuals may avoid seeking out new friendships unless they’re absolutely certain the other person already likes them.
In an intimate relationship, they may be fearful of opening up and sharing their feelings. When relationships don’t work out, they often place the blame on themselves, which increases feelings of suffering and inadequacy. This contributes to a vicious cycle that makes the person wish to avoid interpersonal contact even more (Fariba, 2021; Weinbrecht, 2016).
Symptoms of avoidant personality disorder
AVPD is marked by a chronic avoidance of social interactions, hypersensitivity to judgment, and feelings of shame in social situations. Symptoms of AVPD may include:
Avoiding social, professional, and school activities due to fear of rejection or criticism
Difficulty connecting with other people and forming close relationships due to fear of rejection
Discomfort and inhibition in social situations
Fear of saying or doing the wrong thing
Looking to others for signs of approval or rejection
Low self-esteem or feelings of inadequacy
Perception of being unwelcome or rejected, even when that’s not the case
Reluctance to try new activities or take personal risks due to fear of embarrassment or rejection
Self-awareness of their discomfort and feelings of inferiority
Tendency to withdraw and self-isolate
Personality disorders like AVPD are distinguished by chronic patterns of behavior that affect all aspects of a person’s life.
While some people may grow out of their childhood shyness, a person with AVPD demonstrates ingrained patterns of behavior that intensify as they carry into early adulthood (Weinbrecht, 2016; Fariba, 2021).
How to test for AVPD
Originally identified as a form of social phobia, AVPD is now recognized by the American Psychiatric Association as a Cluster C personality disorder, along with obsessive-compulsive disorder and dependent personality disorders. These conditions all share features of fearful or anxious thinking and behaviors.
To be diagnosed with AVPD, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) recommends a person meet at least four of the following criteria (Fariba, 2021):
Avoidance of activities due to fear of criticism, rejection, or disapproval
Hesitancy to form relationships unless there is absolute certainty the person likes them
Difficulty forming close relationships due to fear of shame or ridicule
Preoccupation with social rejection or criticism
Inhibition in new social situations due to self-consciousness and feelings of inadequacy
Self-identification as socially inept or inferior
Reluctance to try new things due to fear of embarrassment
What causes AVPD?
Researchers suggest a combination of factors that could cause AVPD. Some include an individual’s genetics, temperament, attachment style, and early childhood experiences.
Infants who are hypersensitive or reluctant to try new things may be more likely to develop AVPD later in life, as can children with extreme shyness (Fariba, 2021; Lampe, 2018).
The relationship a person has with their parents may also impact their likelihood of developing AVPD later in life. If the child views their parent as dismissive, neglectful, abusive, or overly critical, they may lose trust in them. That could cause them to develop an anxious or fearful attachment style. To prevent themselves from getting hurt, they may rely on coping strategies like avoidance or hypervigilance, which can lead to AVPD later on.
Childhood experiences of rejection or ridicule may have a similar effect. AVPD may also overlap with social anxiety disorder, borderline personality disorder, dependent personality disorder, and depression.
Treatment for avoidant personality disorder
Left untreated, people with AVPD may further self-isolate, increasing their risk for things like substance abuse, eating disorders, and depression (Fariba, 2021).
Fortunately, psychotherapy––including cognitive behavioral therapy and schema therapy––can be very effective at relieving symptoms.
People with AVPD want to connect with others but have ingrained ways of thinking about themselves that prevent them from doing so. This desire for connection can motivate them to adhere to treatment. By working with a therapist, they can learn to trust in relationships and overcome fears of social rejection.
Cognitive behavioral therapy for AVPD
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on helping someone recognize the automatic thought processes contributing to their suffering. Therapists also teach you techniques to help develop healthier thought patterns.
You’ll also work on recognizing behaviors in social interactions––like scanning the room for signs of approval or rejection––to work on replacing them with more positive, prosocial actions.
CBT can be done in individual or group therapy settings. Techniques taught may include role-playing, social skills training, or desensitization. Between 40-90% of people with AVPD say their symptoms improved as a result of CBT (Weinbrecht, 2016).
Schema therapy for AVPD
Schema therapy is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on helping you recognize something called schema modes.
Schemas are a set of thoughts, emotions, and coping behaviors that develop when a person doesn’t have their basic needs met in early childhood. In schema therapy, therapists work with patients to practice healthier coping methods.
One study found that after schema therapy, over 80% of people no longer met the diagnostic criteria for AVPD (Weinbrecht, 2016).
In addition to therapy, serotonin-specific reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or other antidepressants may also be recommended. These drugs can help manage symptoms of conditions that coexist with AVPD, like depression or anxiety.
For most people, AVPD is a lifelong disorder. However, treatment can significantly relieve symptoms and help people with AVPD feel more comfortable in social situations (Fariba, 2021).
If you or a loved one are hurting, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-(800) 662-4357 for support and treatment options in your area.
DISCLAIMER
If you have any medical questions or concerns, please talk to your healthcare provider. The articles on Health Guide are underpinned by peer-reviewed research and information drawn from medical societies and governmental agencies. However, they are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Fariba, K., & Sapra, A. (2021). Avoidant personality disorder. In StatPearls . StatPearls Publishing. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32644751/
Lampe, L., & Malhi, G. S. (2018). Avoidant personality disorder: current insights. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 11, 55–66. doi: 10.2147/PRBM.S121073. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29563846/
Weinbrecht, A., Schulze, L., Boettcher, J., & Renneberg, B. (2016). Avoidant personality disorder: a current review. Current Psychiatry Reports, 18 (3), 29. doi: 10.1007/s11920-016-0665-6. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26830887/