Avoidant Personality Disorder

“People with avoidant personality disorder are very uncomfortable and inhibited in social situations, overwhelmed by feelings of inadequacy, and extremely sensitive to negative evaluation” (Comer, 2013, p. 501). These people fear rejection so much that they avoid social situations to avoid rejection. People with avoidant personality disorder believe that they are less than others and don’t find themselves physically appealing.

Avoidant personality disorder prevents people from participating in activities where others might judge them. They might avoid going to work, school, or other places if they are concerned with being criticized or people not liking them. People with this disorder avoid trying new things for fear of being embarrassed. They struggle to tolerate criticism taking it personally and causing them great distress.

Theorists believe that avoidant personality disorder and anxiety disorders are caused by similar events. Research, however, has not successfully linked the two. The most popular theories behind avoidant personality disorder come from psychodynamic, cognitive, and behavioral explanations.

Psychodynamic theorists focus on the extreme feelings of shame that people with this disorder feel. Some believe this feeling comes from punitive consequences during toilet training or when the child has “accidents”. When kids are frequently criticized and punished for accidents they might develop a negative self-image. These interactions may lead to a distrust in the love of others. It may also lead to the child feeling unlovable throughout their life.

Cognitive theorists believe that criticism and rejection in early childhood leads the individual to believe that others will always treat them this way. T...

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...with them to change their thought processes by asking them what might happen if they had a more positive thought in a particular situation. I’d also then ask them, if they were comfortable, to try to think differently or to try new things and we’d discuss in session how things went. I would also work with the client to establish more effective social skills. We would work on that through discussions, role plays, and in vivo exposure to social situations.

With this disorder it is important to build a positive relationship with the client. It’ll be important to use patience as the client may struggle to trust the therapist which may affect the direction of treatment. Also when working with the client, I may suggest medication therapy if they desire. I feel that this disorder is treatable and that with the approaches most clients will experience improvement.