Avoidant Personality Disorder

Avoidant Personality Disorder is characterized by marked social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and extremely sensitive to criticism. Individuals wish to but are fearful of any involvement with others. They are terrified by the thought of being embarrassed in front of others. They avoid situations that give them social discomfort, this in many cases leads to social withdrawal.

Diagnostic Criteria (DSM-IV™)

Marked social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and extremely sensitive to criticism. As indicated by at least four of the following:

-Avoid activities that involve interpersonal contact.
-Avoids get involved due to a fear of not being liked by others.
-Restraint in intimate relationships due to a fear of shame or ridicule.
-Marked preoccupation of being rejected or criticized by others.
-Stay away from new interpersonal situations due to feelings of inadequacies.
-Views oneself as inferior, socially inept, or personally unappealing.
-Takes few if any personal risks in the engagement of new activities, for a fear of being embarrassed.