Avoidant personality disorder

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Personality disorder - avoidant

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 lonely rather than risk trying to connect with others.

A person with avoidant personality may:

• Be easily hurt by criticism or disapproval
• Show excessive restraint in intimate relationships
• Be reluctant to become involved with people
• Avoid activities or occupations that involve contact with others
• Be shy in social situations out of fear of doing something wrong
• Exaggerate potential difficulties
• Hold the view they are socially inept, inferior,or unappealing to other people

Review Date: 11/15/2006
Reviewed By: Paul Ballas, D.O., Department of Psychiatry, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.