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New Treatments for Avoidant Personality Disorder 

Treatment of Avoidant Personality Disorder Treatment of Avoidant Personality Disorder

A pervasive pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy and hypersensitivity, beginning by early adulthood, and indicated by at least four of the following:

1. The patient avoids occupational activities with significant interpersonal contact due to fear of criticism, disapproval or rejection.
2. Unwilling to get involved with people unless certain of being liked.
3. Restrained in intimate relationships due to fear of being shamed or ridiculed.
4. Preoccupied with being criticized or rejected avoidant personality disorder in social situations.
5. Inhibited in new interpersonal situations due avoidant personality disorder to feelings of inadequacy.
6. The patient views himself as socially inept, avoidant personality disorder unappealing or inferior to others.
7. Unusually reluctant to take personal risks or to engage in new activities because they may be embarrassing.

1. Shy, quiet, isolative
2. Anticipates unwarranted rejection before it happens.
3. Avoids opportunities to supervise others at work.
4. Devastated by minor comments they perceive to be critical.
5. Despite self-imposed restrictions, they long to be accepted and more social.

1. The male-to-female ratio is 1:1.
2. Although adults with avoidant personality disorder were frequently shy as children, childhood shyness is not a predisposing factor.

1. Individual psychotherapy, group psychotherapy Avoidant Personality Disorder and behavioral techniques may all be useful. Group may assist in dealing with social anxiety. Behavioral techniques such as assertiveness training and systematic desensitization may help overcoming anxiety and shyness.
2. Beta-blockers can be useful for situational anxiety.
3. Patients are prone to mood and anxiety disorders, and these disorders should be treated with antidepressants or anxiolytics.