Avoidant personality disorder

An avoidant personality disorder is one of a group of conditions called anxious personality disorders, which are marked by feelings of nervousness and fear. People with avoidant personality disorder have poor self-esteem. They also have an intense fear of rejection and being negatively judged by others.

Causes

The cause of avoidant personality disorder is unknown. Genetics and environmental factors, such as rejection by a parent or peers, may play a role in the development of the condition. The avoidant behavior typically starts in infancy or early childhood with shyness, isolation, and avoidance of strangers or new places.

How is avoidant personality disorder different from social anxiety?

Those with a social anxiety disorder may have low self-esteem in social situations but do not actually believe they are inferior or worthy of the outside judgments they fear. People with avoidant personality disorder internalize this criticism so completely that they believe the pending hostile perspective is justified.

What different types are there?

There are “10” different types including Paranoid personality disorder, Schizoid personality disorder, Schizotypal personality disorder, Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), Borderline personality disorder (BPD), Histrionic personality disorder , Narcissistic personality disorder, Avoidant (or anxious) personality disorder, Dependent personality disorder and Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCDP). The types are grouped into three categories, Suspicious- paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal and antisocial, Emotional and impulsive- borderline, histrionic and narcissistic and Anxious- avoidant, dependent and obsessive-compulsive.