Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is the primary avoidant personality disorder treatment. Psychotherapy may include cognitive-behavioral therapy, which focuses on reducing negative thought patterns and building social skills.

Can avoidant personality disorder be overcome?

Like all personality disorders, AVPD is difficult to treat and cannot be cured, but men and women who have it can learn to cope with their fears and eventually overcome their previous limitations.

Does avoidant personality get worse?

Can AVPD get worse? Some avoidant personality disorder symptoms can get worse when left untreated. Avoiding others may continue to seem like the only safe way to cope with intensifying fears of rejection and disapproval.

Is avoidant personality disorder lifelong?

What is avoidant personality disorder? People with avoidant personality disorder (APD) have a lifelong pattern of extreme shyness. They also feel inadequate and are hypersensitive to rejection. APD can cause psychiatric symptoms that create serious problems with relationships and work.

What causes an avoidant personality?

Emotional abuse, criticism, ridicule, or lack of affection or nurturing by a parent or caregiver in childhood may result in the development of this personality disorder if other factors are also present. Rejection by peers may similarly be a risk factor.

What famous person has avoidant personality disorder?

Celebrities who have struggled with APD include the famous Kim Basinger, Michael Jackson, and Donny Osmond.

What type of disorder is avoidant personality disorder?

Avoidant personality disorder is grouped with other personality disorders marked by feelings of nervousness and fear. People with avoidant personality disorder have chronic feelings of inadequacy and are highly sensitive to being negatively judged by others.

What is the best treatment for avoidant personality disorder?

As with other personality disorders, psychotherapy is the main treatment for avoidant personality disorder. Psychotherapy is a type of individual counseling that focuses on changing a persons thinking (cognitive therapy) and behavior (behavioral therapy).

What does avoidant personality disorder look like?

Avoidant personality disorder is characterized by feelings of extreme social inhibition, inadequacy, and sensitivity to negative criticism and rejection. Yet the symptoms involve more than simply being shy or socially awkward.

What is it like living with avoidant personality disorder?

Avoidant personality disorder is characterised by intense sensitivity to criticism and a feeling of being judged and observed. Socialising is extremely painful - I am self-conscious and vigilant about how Im acting and what Im saying, determined that no-one should see who I really am.