Avoidant Personality Disorder
Dr. Bryon McQuirt
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Bryon McQuirt
April 24, 2024
Table of Contents
- What is Avoidant Personality Disorder?
- Avoidant Personality Disorder Test
- Signs and Symptoms of Avoidant Personality Disorder
- Signs and Symptoms of High-Functioning Avoidant Personality Disorder
- How is Avoidant Personality Disorder Diagnosed?
- How is Avoidant Personality Disorder Treated?
- Can Avoidant Personality Disorder Be Cured?
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Do you find yourself feeling stressed out about meeting new people or participating in social events because you fear people will judge or dislike you? If this is a regular concern, it may be a sign that you have an avoidant personality disorder. Peachtree Wellness Solutions has created an avoidant personality disorder test to help people understand if they may have more than social shyness or a poor self-image. Take our test and use the results to help you determine if it’s time to speak with a mental health professional.
You are not alone. You deserve to get help.
Peachtree Wellness is an industry leader in mental health treatment. Our team of top medical experts specialize in dual diagnosis treatment and are committed to ensuring that each patient is treated as an individual. Call us today, we’re available 24/7.
What is Avoidant Personality Disorder?
When someone has an avoidant personality disorder, they are dealing with a mental health disorder that needs professional treatment. This disorder affects a person’s ability to interact with others in a healthy manner because they often feel shy and awkward around other people. A person with avoidant personality disorder feels hypersensitive about how they believe others view them and often assumes those around them negatively judge them. They avoid many interactions out of a deep fear of being seen as inadequate or flawed. As a result, the individual often finds their romantic and family relationships are negatively impacted, as well as those with friends, co-workers, and fellow students.
Avoidant Personality Disorder Test
The following is an avoidant personality disorder test designed to help you understand if you may have this challenging condition. Answer “yes” or “no” to the following questions:
- Are you afraid to interact with people unless you feel certain they will like and accept you?
- Do you have a constant fear that you will be criticized or rejected in social situations?
- Do you avoid occupational activities if they include significant interpersonal contact with others?
- Are you hesitant to allow or express closeness with someone in a romantic or intimate relationship because you are afraid of being ridiculed or rejected?
- Do you feel inhibited when involved in new interpersonal relationships because you feel you are not good enough or won’t be accepted?
- Do you constantly feel inferior to others and that they will find you awkward or unlikeable?
- Do you avoid new activities or taking a risk because you assume you will embarrass yourself?
If you answered “yes” to two or more of these questions, you may have an avoidant personality disorder. Remember this is a simple test not meant to provide an official diagnosis. Speak to a mental health professional to discuss your results and get a full assessment.
Signs and Symptoms of Avoidant Personality Disorder
People who have avoidant personality disorders exhibit certain signs of this condition. Because it is not widely known, it can be difficult for them to recognize their disorder. Common symptoms include:
- Shy as a child
- Feeling awkward in social situations
- Turning down opportunities to engage in social events out of a fear of looking bad
- Hypersensitive to any real or perceived criticism
- Assuming people who meet them for the first time will find them boring
- Avoiding meeting new people or engaging in new activities
- Misinterpreting comments and believing people are rejecting them or don’t like them
- Avoiding taking any personal or professional risks in life out of fear of failing or being judged
- Personal relationships are affected by difficulty in communicating effectively
Signs and Symptoms of High-Functioning Avoidant Personality Disorder
Some people find it almost impossible to function in life when they have an avoidant personality disorder. Others are classified as high-functioning because they appear outwardly not to have the fears and issues they have, even though they still suffer from their disorder. Signs of a high-functioning avoidant personality disorder include:
- Seeking out positions in which they will not likely be judged or criticized
- Preferring to work solo on personal or professional projects
- Judging themselves harshly while also reacting poorly to real or perceived judgment from others
- Cutting off contact with people they perceive to judge them
- Often described by others as shy, uptight, or keeping to themselves
- Often does not see out a promotion or additional job tasks
- Having a very small circle of close friends and family and difficulty letting other people in
How is Avoidant Personality Disorder Diagnosed?
While taking our avoidant personality disorder test can help you understand if you have a diagnosable disorder, an official diagnosis should be made by a professional. A physician may be able to do this or they may refer you to a mental health professional. This person will be able to make a formal diagnosis and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.
How is Avoidant Personality Disorder Treated?
Once a person receives a diagnosis of avoidant personality disorder, a plan of treatment can be created. Some people move into a residential program temporarily while others use outpatient treatment. Outpatient programs provide daytime therapy sessions, and the person can live at home while attending them.
The main approach to treatment involves using psychotherapy provided by licensed and skilled therapists. These sessions allow the person to speak candidly about their feelings and experiences and learn how to develop new ways of thinking and reacting to situations that involve interacting with other people. As well, prescription medications can help ease certain symptoms of avoidant personality disorder, such as anxiety.
Can Avoidant Personality Disorder Be Cured?
Avoidant personality disorder cannot be cured, but a structured treatment plan can help people manage and minimize the symptoms of it. Therapy helps the person to change many of their emotional and thought patterns, including their negative assumptions. Without treatment, many people find their symptoms increase in intensity and their disorder becomes even more difficult to live with or manage.
Find Treatment for Avoidant Personality Disorder in Atlanta
Did you take our avoidant personality disorder test and think you may need to speak with a mental health expert about your results? Peachtree Wellness Solutions has a friendly admissions staff that can discuss your specific symptoms and help determine if they mean you are struggling with a mental health disorder. We provide optimized treatment for people with a variety of mental illnesses. Our team of experienced therapists can help you minimize your symptoms and become more comfortable around loved ones and in social situations.
Are you ready to begin treatment and want to know how to get started and what to expect? Visit our admissions page today and let us answer all of your questions.
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