Avoidant Personality Disorder

People with Avoidant Personality Disorder struggle with feelings of inadequacy and extreme shyness. These people are sensitive to rejection and show extreme social inhibition. They are also insecure and feel inadequate. The symptoms of this disorder affect a person’s occupational life and their relationships. People with this disorder appear timid, shy, awkward and lonely.

Symptoms of Avoidant Personality Disorder

• Avoids work activities that involve contact with others for fear of rejection, disapproval and criticism.
• Extreme sensitivity to what others think about them
• Fear of being ridiculed and rejected dominating thoughts.
• Avoid activities that involves socialising with others
• Intimate relationships – unwilling to get involved with people unless they feel certain that they will be liked
• Meeting and getting to know new people is difficult – views themselves as inferior and unappealing.
• Embarrassment – fears taking personal risks for fear of embarrassment. Will avoid engaging in new activities.
• Disapproval – Has a high fear of disapproval and feels mostly unlikeable.

The cause for the condition is unknown. However, researchers believe that APD has genetic and environmental factors that contribute to it. These symptoms can lead to distress or impairment of functioning at work or social areas. Individuals with APD can become isolated due to their fears of rejection and ridicule and suffer from acute shyness and may secretly crave affection and fantasise about their ideal relationships with others.

It is uncommon for those with APD to be diagnosed as children as personality disorders often show patterns of long-standing behaviour. Most people with APD are diagnosed in Adulthood. If diagnosed in children or teens the symptoms must have been present for at least over a year.
APD symptoms will regularly diminish with age. Numerous individuals encounter few of the greater symptoms when they are in their 40s – 50s.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for APD

Cognitive Behavioural therapy helps you to recognise unhealthy thought patterns and beliefs in your thought processes. The objective is to supplant them with more beneficial ones and replace erroneous thinking with truth. False Beliefs need to be challenged. Seek the help of a counsellor near you.

You are who God says you are and what he says you are.

I am greatly loved – Romans 5:8
I am created in God’s Likeness – Ephesians 4:24
I am God’s Incredible work of art – Ephesians 2:10
I am God’s Child – Galatians 3:26

Sources

Psych Central – http://psychcentral.com/disorders/avoidant-personality-disorder-symptoms/

Where to get help

Search for a counsellor near you – Australian Counselling Association
Lifeline – A free 24 hour Crisis Counselling service – 13 11 14
Kids Help Line – 1800 55 1800
Men’s Line Australia – 1300 789 978 – 24/7 Men’s counselling and online support service.