| Avoidant personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and being overly sensitive to negative evaluation. It represents a "detached" personality pattern. Detached individuals are typically introverted, aloof and reclusive, tend to avoid social activities, and are usually quite uncomfortable when forced to participate in such activities. They are extremely sensitive to rejection, which may lead to social isolation and a withdrawn life. They tend to be shy, apprehensive, awkward, uncomfortable with face-to-face contact, and may appear timid, withdrawn, evasive, and sometimes strange. Their speech may be slow and constrained with frequent hesitations and fragmented thought sequences.
Individuals with this disorder fear placing their welfare and feelings in the hands of others and hesitate to trust or confide in others. They tend to be extremely introspective and self-conscious. They often perceive themselves as different from others and tend to be unsure of their identity and self-worth, lacking overall self-esteem. They often devalue their own achievements, seeing themselves as isolated, discontent, and empty.
The avoidant personality disorder is thought to begin in infancy and childhood but, unlike developmentally-appropriate shyness, does not dissipate with maturity. Because it is difficult to distinguish long-term traits in the evolving personality of children, the disorder is usually not diagnosed until young adulthood.Risk: The disorder appears with equal frequency in males and females (DSM-IV-TR 719). Having a biological relative with severe social anxiety or social phobia is associated with a 2 to 3 fold increase of risk for developing either social phobia or avoidant personality disorder (Tilfors 289). Incidence and Prevalence: Estimates of the prevalence of avoidant personality disorder range from 0.5% to 1% (Bienenfeld). |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor
| History: The psychiatric interview and mental status exam are the primary methods utilized by the practitioner. In a clinical interview, the most striking aspect is the individual's anxiety about talking with the interviewer. The physician looks for symptoms of a pervasive pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and extreme sensitivity to negative evaluation.
According to the DSM-IV-TR (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, Text Revision), beginning by early adulthood, individuals with avoidant personality disorder display four (or more) of the following: avoids occupational activities involving significant interpersonal contact because of fears of criticism, disapproval, or rejection; unwilling to get involved with others unless certain of being liked; shows restraint within intimate relationships because of the fear of being shamed or ridiculed; preoccupied with being criticized or rejected in social situations; inhibited in new interpersonal situations because of feelings of inadequacy; views self as socially inept, personally unappealing, or inferior to others; or unusually reluctant to take personal risks or engage in any new activities as they may prove embarrassing. Physical exam: The physical exam is not helpful in diagnosing this disorder. Tests: When used in conjunction with the history, standardized psychological assessment strategies such as the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory - 2 (MMPI-2) and the Structured Clinical Interview for Axis II Disorders (SCID-II) can be helpful in diagnosing personality disorders. |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor
| Treatment for avoidant personality disorder depends on establishing an alliance (based on trust) between the therapist and individual. Psychotherapeutic modalities include individual and group, especially cognitive-behavioral therapy focusing on the development of effective coping strategies and social skills. A primary goal of any psychotherapy for this disorder is to encourage the individual to move out into the world and take what are perceived as great risks of humiliation, rejection, and failure. The therapist should be cautious, however, when suggesting that the individual exercise new social skills outside of therapy because failure may reinforce feelings of poor self-esteem. Group therapy may help the individual cope with the exaggerated threat of rejection.
Pharmacotherapy has been used to deal with depression and anxiety, the most common features associated with avoidant personality disorder. Antianxiety agents may be useful in treating high levels of anxiety associated with this disorder. |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor
| Many individuals with avoidant personality disorder can function in society provided they are in a protected environment. A stable support system and a positive network of family and friends usually ensures a good outcome. |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor
| Any type of rejection in the life of the avoidant personality may lead to increasing social withdrawal. Criticism in any form is usually devastating and intensifies the dysfunction. Other complicating factors are the presence of anxiety, depression, or other coexistent psychiatric disorders including substance abuse. At work or home, any type of rejection or perceived rejection usually leads to withdrawal. |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor
| High profile positions with frequent contact on a one-to-one basis are uncomfortable and may even be intolerable for the individual with avoidant personality disorder. A work environment involving a small group of people is recommended. Contact with a large or unfamiliar group should be avoided. |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor
| If an individual fails to recover within the expected maximum duration period, the reader may wish to consider the following questions to better understand the specifics of an individual's medical case. Regarding diagnosis:
- Was diagnosis of avoidant personality disorder confirmed? Does individual's behavior fit criteria?
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Because individual may deem important life history, medical information or himself/herself too unimportant to mention, was physician able to get a comprehensive, realistic history? Do nonverbal clues give an indication of important information that may have been omitted?
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Were conditions with similar symptoms ruled out?
Regarding treatment:
- Is psychotherapy focused toward finding solutions to specific life problems?
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Has individual been able to establish and maintain a good working rapport with therapist? If not, what can be done to help facilitate rapport?
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If individual is taking medication, is it short-term and for a specific coexisting psychiatric condition? Could medication actually be interfering with effectiveness of the overall treatment?
Regarding prognosis:
- Since avoidant personality disorder may require long-term therapy, would group therapy be a good adjunct after termination of current individual therapy?
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Does individual have a stable, understanding support system?
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Source: Medical Disability Advisor
| Bienenfeld, David. "Personality Disorders." eMedicine. Eds. Sarah C. Aronson, et al. 29 Dec. 2004. Medscape. 4 Oct. 2004 <http://emedicine.com/Med/topic3472.htm>.Frances, Allen, ed. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR). 4th ed. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association, 2000. Tilfors, M. "Social Phobia and Avoidant Personality Disorder as Related to Parental History of Social Anxiety: A General Population Study." Behavior Research and Therapy 39 3 (2001): 289-298. |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor