Avoidant personality disorder: Causes, symptoms, and more Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe What to know about avoidant personality disorderMedically reviewed by Joslyn Jelinek, LCSW — By Mary West on July 28, 2022Avoidant personality disorder is the avoidance of social situations and interpersonal relationships due to a fear of rejection or criticism. Avoidant personality disorder is a long-term and often debilitating condition. It typically has its roots in a person’s formative years. Early childhood environment, infantile temperament, and a genetic predisposition can all play a role in developing the disorder. Keep reading to learn more about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of avoidant personality disorder, as well as the outlook for people with this condition. What is it Share on PinterestAsiaVision/Getty ImagesAvoidant personality disorder happens when a fear of rejection and feelings of inadequacy cause an individual to avoid social interaction extensively. Hypersensitivity to criticism and the need for reassurance also characterize the condition, which can lead to considerable impairment and disability. Some people with avoidant personality disorder may have co-occurring depression and substance use disorders and an increased risk of suicidal behavior. Other possible comorbidities include social anxiety disorder and certain eating disorders. Research suggests that the prevalence of avoidant personality disorder is in the range of 1.5–2.5%, with the rate slightly higher among females than males. Suicide prevention If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:Ask the tough question: “Are you considering suicide?”Listen to the person without judgment.Call 911 or the local emergency number, or text TALK to 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor.Stay with the person until professional help arrives.Try to remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 988. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988. Click here for more links and local resources. Causes The development of avoidant personality disorder can result from a complex mix of environmental factors, personality traits, and genetics. The following can all play a key role:fearful or anxious childhood attachment stylesearly childhood environment, which may involve deficits in parental or caregiver affectioninfantile temperaments, such as hypersensitivity and rigidityfamily history of the disorder The relationship between the above factors is also significant. For example, if a distressed infant receives a dismissive response from a parent or caregiver, this can potentiate maladaptive behavior. Also, early negative interactions with caregivers can lead to a fear of intimacy and foster hypervigilance. Additional contributing factors may include:caregiver-guilt engenderingabuseminimal parental encouragementneglect Symptoms The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) lists the symptoms of avoidant personality disorder as follows:desperate efforts to avoid abandonmentrestraint in intimate relationshipsavoidance of involvement with otherspreoccupation with criticism or rejection in social encountersinhibition in new interpersonal interactionsreluctance to engage in new activitiesan unstable sense of selftemporary paranoiarapid mood changesintense anger Diagnosis A mental health professional will ask about the person’s history and perform a psychological assessment to diagnose the disorder. To meet the diagnostic threshold, a person must exhibit persistent patterns of hypersensitivity and unstable relationships and have at least four symptoms from the list in the DSM-5. In addition, the evaluation rules out other potential diagnoses and looks at whether an individual has co-occurring conditions. It also determines whether abnormal behavior patterns are chronic and affect most areas of life. Although some symptoms are common in childhood and adolescence, a person’s personality is still developing at this time. For this reason, doctors may delay a diagnosis until the symptoms persist and interfere with overall functioning. Treatment The treatment for avoidant personal disorder typically centers around forms of psychotherapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy One of the core principles of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is that psychological problems are due to unhelpful ways of thinking. CBT helps people identify negative thoughts and teaches them how to respond to challenging situations more effectively. CBT may be beneficial in treating avoidant personality disorder. However, the research into its efficacy is limited. Learn more about CBT. Interpersonal therapy Some experts recommend interpersonal therapy (IT) for developing trust and overcoming social anxiety. IT helps someone understand their emotions and use this understanding to improve social interactions. A small 2022 study found that combining IT with mentalization-based group therapy yielded positive treatment outcomes. Learn more about interpersonal therapy. Medications The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any medications for the condition. However, anecdotal reports suggest that some drugs for social anxiety disorder may relieve the symptoms. An example is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as citalopram (Celexa). Additionally, medications may help reduce the symptoms of co-occurring conditions, such as depression. Outlook Avoidant personality disorder is a long-term condition. However, research indicates that with time and treatment, the symptoms can sometimes improve to a point where they no longer meet the diagnostic criteria. Prompt diagnosis and management of the condition are critically important for an individual to have a good quality of life. Summary People with avoidant personality disorder demonstrate extensive avoidance of social situations. The symptoms include feelings of inadequacy, fear of rejection, and hypersensitivity to criticism. The basis of a diagnosis is the presence of at least four of the recognized symptoms manifesting by early adulthood. The treatment typically involves CBT and IT. Although medications are not a treatment option for avoidant personality disorder, doctors may use them to treat co-occurring conditions, such as depression. The outlook for those with the condition varies, but some will see improvements in their symptoms with time and treatment. Last medically reviewed on July 28, 2022Mental HealthAnxiety / Stresspersonalitytypes 4 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Fariba, K. A., et al. (2022). Avoidant personality disorder.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559325/Lampe, L., et al. (2018). Avoidant personality disorder: Current insights.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5848673/Simonsen, S., et al. (2022). Treating avoidant personality disorder with combined individual metacognitive interpersonal therapy and group mentalization-based treatment: A pilot study [Abstract].https://journals.lww.com/jonmd/Abstract/2022/03000/Treating_Avoidant_Personality_Disorder_With.3.aspxZimmerman, M., et al. (2021). Avoidant personality disorder (AVPD).https://www.msdmanuals.com/en-gb/professional/psychiatric-disorders/personality-disorders/avoidant-personality-disorder-avpdFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Joslyn Jelinek, LCSW — By Mary West on July 28, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? 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