Avoidant Personality Disorder

[Aerodiabetes]

Has anyone been diagnosed with this?
I’ve had it for decades but never come across anyone else with it.

I think a lot of people et labelled as narcissist too

Not by MH professionals?

Wow that list is pretty much me 😮

Sorry to hear that @winterbluess. How does it impact your life?

I honestly just though I was a shy person! Or a bit anti social.. wasn't great at school only really having friends from primary when others all made new friends etc, and don't really have any now tbh. I am married though so that changes things, I'm happy to just be at home and be with family.. I guess I'm an introvert, but that list was really like WOW to me

"Exageration of potential difficulties"
I totally catastrophise, I drive my brain mad with it. I'm also majorly emetophobic so it's usually along the lines of that

In females autism becomes unmasked in teens due to increased social demands, going from a small primary to large high school, being more conscious of trying to fit in with peers and not quite getting it. Up until last few years most of these girls would be having a personality disorder especially if distress was expressed through self harming behaviours, but this is changing now we have more understanding of female traits of autism

I feel like my unmasking happened during menopause. I can’t hide it anymore

I was under a psychiatric team in my teens to mid twenties. The two consultants were in disagreement about my diagnosis. One thought I had a Cluster C Personality Disorder but the other said I didn’t meet the criteria. They went back and forth on it. I accessed my medical notes a couple of years ago and it was the first I’d heard of it. It didn’t say which Cluster C specifically but when I looked them up, avoidant seems to fit best.

OP, what kind of treatment did you get (if any) for APD? Do you feel like you benefited in any way from getting diagnosed?

I don’t think I ever had any treatment specifically for the PD. I actually forgot I had been diagnosed with it until recently.
I guess the only benefit of the diagnosis is that it gives a reason for my whole life being such a massive struggle. I’m not “just” shy or socially anxious, it goes deeper than that.

My daughter has this I believe. She's autistic too, with this avoidance syndrome and it's debilitating.

How are you finding dealing with things as an adult @Aerodiabetes

i worry so much for my daughter it's good that you started this thread as it's been really helpful for me.

Yes I've recently been diagnosed at 38 with ADHD and avoidant personality disorder it makes a lot of sense now!

I’ve had one burnout after another at school/university/work since the age of 13 although I’ve only realised that fairly recently. I’ve been sectioned and spent a lot of time in psychiatric hospitals and taken lots of time off sick from my career. I have no friends and no social life. Sorry I can’t be more positive.
I really hope your DD gets help so she doesn’t waste her life like I have done mine.

@Aerodiabetes ah thank you, yes my daughter had burnout in year 7 and was out of school for almost a year.
I really appreciate you replying and being so honest, I know I'd be very proud of her if she was able to vocalise her experiences like you have, I've found this thread really helpful. Thank you

@Aerodiabetes sorry to hear you're going through this. What is the difference between avoidant personality disorder and severe social anxiety?

Thank you, that’s so kind.
i wasn’t diagnosed until i was 30 so I think your daughter should do better as she is younger x

Good question. This is what google says :

Avoidant Personality Disorder (AvPD) is a pervasive, deep-seated personality structure defined by chronic low self-esteem and fear of rejection, whereas severe Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is an anxiety-driven fear of negative evaluation in specific social situations
AvPD involves a broader, constant avoidance of intimacy and, at times, daily life, while SAD often allows for functionality in areas without perceived scrutiny.

Key differences between AvPD and severe social anxiety include:

• Core Beliefs: AvPD is rooted in feelings of being fundamentally inadequate, flawed, or unappealing. SAD is driven by intense fear that one will act in an embarrassing or humiliating way, leading to social judgment.
• Pervasiveness: AvPD is a chronic, pervasive pattern affecting all areas of life, including work and relationships. Severe social anxiety is often (though not always) more situational, specific to performance or social interactions.
• Self-Image: People with AvPD often believe their negative self-views are absolute truths. Individuals with severe social anxiety often recognize that their fears may be irrational or exaggerated, even if they cannot control them.
• Need for Affection: Individuals with AvPD deeply desire relationships but are too afraid to seek them out, fearing rejection. This often results in extreme social isolation, whereas people with severe social anxiety may have closer, smaller social circles.
• Onset and Stability: AvPD is generally more ingrained and consistent, starting in early adulthood, while anxiety disorders can fluctuate in severity.

While both involve fear of rejection, AvPD is generally considered more deeply rooted in personality, while severe social anxiety is an intense anxiety disorder. They can overlap, and individuals with both often experience greater impairment.

This sounds like RSD which comes with ND

Now that I’m out of my marriage and my vision has cleared I know my husband is autistic but I’d say he also has a PD. I wasn’t sure this was possible and I’d appreciate it oc you could direct me to some information regarding it.

What is RSD? Genuine request- please give the full description then the acronym in brackets. For the initiated. Thank you

Rejection sensitivity disorder but I’m sure the OP who is obviously invested in this would be able to google it.