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Your doctor may refer you to a mental health professional who will ask you questions to determine if you have APD. To be diagnosed with APD, your symptoms must begin no later than early adulthood.You must also show at least four of the following characteristics:. You avoid work activities that involve contact with others. This is due to fear of criticism, disapproval, or rejection. You’re unwilling to get involved with other people unless you’re sure they like you.
You hold back in relationships because you’re afraid you’ll be ridiculed or humiliated. The fear of being criticized or rejected in social situations dominates your thoughts. You hold back or completely avoid social situations because you feel inadequate. You think you’re inferior to others, unappealing, and inept.
Bernstein, D. A., & Nietzel, M. Procedural variation in behavioral avoidance tests.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 1973,41 165–174.
You’re unlikely to take part in new activities or to take personal risks because you're afraid of embarrassment. Psychotherapy is the most effective treatment for APD. Your therapist may use psychodynamic psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral therapy. The goal of therapy is to help you identify your unconscious beliefs about yourself and how others see you. It also aims to help you function better socially and at work.
Psychodynamic psychotherapyis a form of talk therapy. It helps you become aware of your unconscious thoughts. It can help you understand how past experiences influence your current behavior.
This allows you to examine and resolve past emotional pains and conflicts. Then you can move forward with a healthier outlook about yourself and how others see you. Psychodynamic psychotherapy produces lasting results with benefits that continue after treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy(CBT) is another form of talk therapy. In CBT, a therapist helps you recognize and replace unhealthy beliefs and thought processes. Your therapist will encourage you to examine and test your thoughts and beliefs to see if they have a factual basis.
They’ll also help you develop alternative, healthier thoughts. MedicationThe FDA hasn’t approved any medications to treat personality disorders.
However, your doctor may prescribe antidepressant medications if you have co-occurring depression or anxiety.
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Many people struggle with, but a small segment of the population suffers from shyness so severe that it brings about extreme social inhibition. In avoidant, extreme shyness and of rejection make it difficult for people to interact socially and professionally. People with avoidant disorder may avoid work activities or decline job offers because of fears of criticism from others.
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They may be inhibited in social situations as a result of low and feelings of inadequacy. Additionally, they may be preoccupied with their own shortcomings and form relationships with others only if they think they will not be rejected. Loss and rejection are so painful to these individuals that they will choose rather than risk trying to connect with others. About 2 percent of the population, equally divided between the sexes, has this disorder. SymptomsAccording to the, common signs of avoidant personality disorder include:. Easily hurt by criticism or disapproval. No close friends.
Reluctance to become involved with people. Avoidance of activities or occupations that involve contact with others. Shyness in social situations out of fear of doing something wrong.
Exaggeration of potential difficulties. Showing excessive restraint in intimate relationships. Feeling socially inept, inferior, or unappealing to other people.
Unwilling to take risks or try new things because they may prove embarrassing. Treatment, particularly cognitive/behavioral approaches, may be helpful. Can often reduce sensitivity to rejection. A combination of medication and talk therapy may be more effective than either treatment alone.People with avoidant personality disorder may have some ability to relate to others, and the ability can be reinforced and improved with treatment. Without treatment, those with avoidant personality disorder may become resigned to a life of near or total isolation.
They may go on to develop a second disorder such as or a such as depression. While shyness is not a disorder, help from a health-care provider or a psychiatrist is important if shyness or fear of rejection overwhelms a person's ability to function in life and form relationships.
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