There is still a lack of awareness regarding this disorder, which causes people to avoid seeking proper treatment. As a result, they often neglect this condition and avoid paying much attention to it. However, it is safe to say that this condition can escalate to something serious without treatment. Here are some methods commonly used for the treatment of avoidant personality disorder.
1. Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
It is a form of talk therapy commonly used to deal with such a personality disorder. With this, therapists get to realise your unconscious thoughts and beliefs. Moreover, they can also analyse your past to identify the patterns and shifts in your behaviour. These might be causing the current symptoms in your condition.
Once the therapists identify your trigger, they can suggest healthier ways of thinking. It helps you enhance your self-confidence and image, thereby helping you respect your capabilities. It is popular for its lasting impact on your psychological condition.
2. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
This is another talking therapy used to treat avoidant personality disorder. It helps therapists identify patients' unhealthy thinking patterns, which prevent them from having a healthier social life. Moreover, it can also contribute to analysing how conflicts and differences might cause this situation.
The therapists then help you identify how your current thoughts and behaviours are unhealthy and might hamper your mental state. As a result, you get to realise the current mistakes you might be making. Then you can work on these as per the instructions of your therapist.
3. Schema Therapy
It is an integrative approach, combining multiple talk therapies like CBT. Therapists use it to focus on their relationship with the patients. With this, they can gain insights from the clients' early life experiences, thereby identifying their current problems. For example, you might have to describe your childhood experiences and desires that could lead to this disorder.
With this therapy, you get an understanding of the current behaviour and problems, generating insights from your past experiences. The therapist will help you improve your daily functioning by identifying your current problems and developing changes accordingly.
4. Medication
There is no specific medication for avoidant personality disorder. However, therapists often use medicines for some of the other mental health issues that have similar symptoms. Depression, anxiety and some personality disorders might have similar reactions to this condition. Doctors might provide medicines for these conditions.
In most cases, antidepressant medication is prescribed for the patients. Doctors usually suggest these, even though there is no FDA-approved medicine for this disorder.