What is avoidant personality disorder?

The disorder of the avoidant personality, also called, is a pattern of social inhibition, feelings of incompetence and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation by others.

It affects a 2,4% of the population, (men and women) and begins in the early stages of adulthood.

Characteristics of an avoidant personality

This disorder is diagnosed when four or more of the following criteria are met:

• Avoid work activities that involve meaningful interpersonal contact for fear of criticism, disapproval, or rejection.
• It shows Unwilling to establish relationships with others, unless you are sure you are appreciated.
• It shows withdrawn in close relationships because he fears that he will be embarrassed or ridiculed.
• You are worried about being criticized or rejected in social situations.
• It shows inhibited in new interpersonal situations due to the feeling of lack of adaptation.
• He sees himself as socially inept, with little personal attractiveness or inferior to the others.
• It shows extremely reluctant to take risks personal or to get involved in new activities because they can be embarrassing.

Shyness is the main cause

Some situations experienced in childhood They can condition or disorders such as: rejection or marginalization, excessive criticism by attachment figures, inattention or neglect and / or abuse.

However, it is the precursor of avoidant personality disorder. In most people it dissipates with age, but for people with the disorder, shyness increases in adolescence and adulthood, becoming increasingly evasive.

 On the other hand, they tend to carefully evaluate the behavior of others with respect to them and that expectation can provoke the ridicule or ridicule of others, which would confirm his own negative suspicions. It would be the so-called, which would further reinforce the isolation as a result of that shyness.

Avoiding is not always negative

In fact, it can be an adaptive resource to protect us from greater evils and preserve our well-being, especially when we do not have enough resources to handle the situation. It would be the flight coping strategy. However, on a psychological level, stopping facing things can be a high emotional cost since everything we don't face turns to fear.

•  Short term it relieves us by not having to face the dreaded situation.
• Medium-long termIf we repeat the avoidance behavior, we conclude our own ineffectiveness (which negatively affects our self-esteem) and increases fear exponentially.

We could therefore say that avoidance it is detrimental when the damage derived from avoiding is greater than the initial damage.

It is important to note that avoidance is not merely something Social. It is also cognitive, behavioral Y emotional, which translates into not thinking, not doing and not managing my emotions because that way I do not face what frightens me (which fears even more feedback).

Can lead to isolation

If the pathology is very advanced and does not receive treatment, it can lead to isolation. It is also common for it to occur simultaneously with other disorders. The most common are:

• Major depressive disorder.
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• Anxiety disorders (panic disorder, generalized anxiety, etc.).
• Dependent personality disorder or.
• Substance abuse.

The social phobia It is a diagnosis that is often confused with avoidant personality disorder, but the latter is broader, not only occurs in specific social situations but also in situations of more closeness and intimacy. The fear of rejection it is also more intense.

How to handle it?

Psychotherapy is considered the most effective treatment for this disorder. Some of the important aspects to deal with are:

• Social skills training. Group therapy is a particularly effective format in this regard.
• Gradual exposure to social contact, setting specific objectives.
• and the trust.
• and to rejection.
• Address dysfunctional beliefs about oneself and others, as well as the dilemmas that may be involved.
• In the event that there is dependence on a person of reference, elaborate it and expand intimacy with other people.
• Explore the origin of avoidance.
• Treat possible associated symptoms, for example, depression.

• • We could therefore say that avoidance is harmful when the damage derived from avoiding is greater than the initial damage.
  • If the pathology is very advanced and does not receive treatment, it can lead to isolation. It is also common for it to occur simultaneously with other disorders.
  • Psychotherapy is considered the most effective treatment for this disorder.