Avoidant Personality Disorder (Not to be confused with Antisocial Personality Disorder)

Signs and symptoms:

Those with this disorder may often choose jobs of isolation so that they do not have to
interact with the public regularly, due to their anxiety and fear of embarrassing themselves in
front of others. Some afflicted by this disorder may fantasize about idealized, accepting, and
affectionate relationships, due to their desire to belong. They often feel themselves unworthy
of the relationships they desire, so they shame themselves from ever attempting the
relationship. People with avoidant personality disorder are preoccupied with their own
shortcomings and form relationships with others only if they believe they will not be rejected.
Loss and rejection are so painful that these individuals will choose to be alone rather than risk
trying to connect with others. They often view themselves with contempt, while showing an
increased inability to identify traits within themselves that are generally considered as positive
within their societies. Childhood emotional neglectin particular, the rejection of a child by
one or both parentshas been associated with an increased risk for the development of AvPD,
as well as rejection by peers.
Hypersensitivity to rejection/criticism; Self-imposed social isolation; Extreme shyness or
anxiety in social situations, though the person feels a strong desire for close relationships;
Avoids physical contact because it has been associated with an unpleasant or painful stimulus;
Feelings of inadequacy; Severe low self-esteem; Self-loathing; Mistrust of others; Emotional
distancing related to intimacy; Highly self-conscious; Self-critical about their problems relating
to others; Problems in occupational functioning; Lonely self-perception, although others may
find the relationship with them meaningful;Feeling inferior to others; In some extreme cases,
agoraphobia; Uses fantasy as a form of escapism to interrupt painful thoughts
American Psychiatric Association
The DSM-5 also has an Avoidant Personality Disorder diagnosis. It refers to a widespread
pattern of inhibition around people, feeling inadequate and being very sensitive to negative
evaluation. Symptoms begin by early adulthood and occur in a range of situations. Four of
seven specific symptoms should be present, which are the following:
Avoids occupational activities that involve significant interpersonal contact, because of fears of
criticism, disapproval, or rejection
Is unwilling to get involved with people unless certain of being liked
Shows restraint within intimate relationships because of the fear of being shamed or ridiculed
Is preoccupied with being criticized or rejected in social situations
Is inhibited in new interpersonal situations because of feelings of inadequacy
Views self as socially inept, personally unappealing, or inferior to others
Is unusually reluctant to take personal risk or to engage in any new activities because they
may prove embarrassing
Millon's subtypes - includes: "Blocks or fragments self awareness; discards painful images
and memories; casts away untenable thoughts and impulses; ultimately jettisons self
(suicidal)."