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Avoidant Personality Disorder 
American Description 

Diagnostic Criteria
A pervasive pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by four (or more) of the following: 
avoids occupational activities that involve significant interpersonal contact, because of fears of criticism, disapproval, or rejection 
is unwilling to get involved with people unless certain of being liked 
shows restraint within intimate relationships because of the fear of being shamed or ridiculed 
is preoccupied with being criticized or rejected in social situations 
is inhibited in new interpersonal situations because of feelings of inadequacy 
views self as socially inept, personally unappealing, or inferior to others 
is unusually reluctant to take personal risks or to engage in any new activities because they may prove embarrassing 

Associated Features
Depressed Mood 
Anxious/Fearful/Dependent Personality 

Differential Diagnosis
Social Phobia, Generalized Type;Panic Disorder With Agoraphobia; Dependent Personality Disorder; Schizoid Personality Disorder; Schizotypal Personality Disorder; Paranoid Personality Disorder; Personality Change Due to a General Medical Condition; symptoms that may develop in association with chronic substance use. 

Internet Mental Health (www.mentalhealth.com) copyright © 1995-2000 by Phillip W. Long, M.D. 

 

 

BipolarConnection 2001 - 2008

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