avoidant personality disorder

avoidant personality disorder

Psychology A pervasive pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation, which begins by early adulthood, and is present in various contexts

Avoidant personality disorder-DSM 301.82

Requires 4 + of the following

Avoids occupational activities

involving significant interpersonal contact, due to fear of criticism, disapproval, or rejection

Unwilling to get involved

with people unless certain of being liked

Restraint in intimate relationships

due to fear of ridicule or shame

Preoccupied

with social criticism or rejection

Inhibited in new interpersonal situations

due to feelings of inadequacy

Negative self image

Views self as socially inept, unappealing, or inferior to others

Reluctant to take risks

or engage in activites that have the potential for being embarrassing

Modified from DSM-IV, Am Psych Asso, Washington DC, 1994