Avoidant Personality Disorder: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

With the growing concerns over mental health, various kinds of psychological conditions have come to the notice of the general public. An avoidant personality disorder is one such issue. It causes an individual to avoid social situations out of fear of rejection and judgement. As a result, they tend to withdraw from such situations and stay more reserved. 

Are you concerned about this condition? Find out all about avoidant personality disorder in this article.

Personality disorders have evolved as a significant area of psychological diseases. An avoidant personality disorder is one such condition which causes a pattern of behaviour that is out of cultural norms. It is characterised by feelings of nervousness and fear, which prevents the patients from participating in social situations. 

People suffering from AVPD are likely to experience a lifelong pattern of extreme shyness, fear of judgement and inadequacy. As a result, they try to avoid social interactions and communication even if they are interested in doing so simply because of paranoia.

Knowing about this disorder's symptoms will help you distinguish it from other mental health issues. The intensity of the symptoms might vary on an individual level. Here are the main symptoms of avoidant personality disorder. 

• Oversensitivity
• Easily hurt by criticism and failure 
• Extreme anxiety and nervousness in a social situation
• Shy and self-conscious 
• Avoid experimenting and trying something new 
• Poor self-image and confidence 
• Avoid getting to know new people 
• Inhibitions with new interpersonal situation
• Reluctant to personal risks 
• Paranoia and a lack of engagement in relationships

Clinical researchers are yet to discover the causes of avoidant personality disorder. Patients suffering from this condition have their own reasons which might have caused such a disorder. Apart from the differences in brain chemicals, some other causes might be as follows. However, there are other causes for different patients. 

• Genetics: Often, this disorder is passed across generations through heredity. If your family members or blood relatives have this disorder, you are more vulnerable to developing it. However, more research is required to prove the role of genetics in spreading this disorder. 
• Environment: The kind of environment where you grow up also influences your mind and behaviour. If you experience extreme criticism and parental rigidity while growing up, you are more likely to turn shy and avoid social situations.

Research hasn’t been able to confirm the exact risk factors that can cause avoidant personality disorder. However, the risks are higher for those who -  

• Were shy as young children 
• Subjected to extreme criticism
• Were ridiculed for their ideas or behaviour 
• Did not receive enough affection 
• Got rejected by peers and friends 
• Received emotional abuse

If you notice the symptoms mentioned above, visit your physician for a diagnosis. The doctors will ask detailed questions regarding your medical history and family mental health records. They might also conduct some physical diagnostic tests to rule out the possibility of any other conditions behind the symptoms. 

Once they rule out the other possibilities, they usually refer patients to professional psychologists. The diagnosis of avoidant personality disorder includes designed interviews and assessment tools to identify the current behavioural patterns of the patients. Therapists usually follow the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) criteria in this process.

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. 

There is hardly any option for preventing avoidant personality disorder, as it occurs in a certain psychological setting that is out of the patient's control. However, you can cope with the condition and manage the symptoms with the following tips.

1. Recognise the Patterns

You can recognise your behavioural patterns by paying attention to your mental state while communicating with strangers or participating in social situations. This will help you identify the triggers causing this situation. As a result, you can help your therapist and also stay cautious to avoid them affecting your mental health.

2. Avoid Smoking & Drinking

Excessive smoking and drinking can contribute to increased anxiety and depression, leading to such a personality disorder. Moreover, it can also lead you to self-harm practices and suicidal thoughts. Therefore, you can consider self-care by avoiding these toxins

3. Seek Help

If you are unable to seek professional help, open up to your close friends or family members about your current mental health issues. Ask for their opinions regarding these issues, and discuss the problems you face in a social situation. Then, you can take their help in handling the problem.

4. Develop Healthy Practises

You can consider healthy activities like deep breathing, meditation and a healthy sleep routine on a daily basis. Moreover, maintaining a balanced diet and thinking positively will also help you in this process. These practices will be essential for developing a healthy mental state and avoiding fear and paranoia.

You should visit the doctor if you feel that your behaviour is slightly unnatural when it comes to communicating and participating in a social situation. For example, if you feel incredibly awkward, conscious or afraid to be judged by others, you might suffer from this condition. Therefore, you can get an appointment with a psychologist in such a situation.

There might be some co-occurring mental health issues related to avoidant personality disorder. Some of these are listed below. 

• Social anxiety disorder
• Substance use disorder
• Borderline personality disorder (BPD)
• Depression
• Agoraphobia
• Dependent personality disorder

Hopefully, now you know all about avoidant personality disorder. This article looked into the details of its symptoms, causes and treatment. If you feel that you might be suffering from this condition, do not hesitate to visit a psychologist and seek immediate treatment. Moreover, you can also consider the coping mechanisms discussed in this article.