Avoidant Personality Disorder is a personality disorder characterized by being very sensitive to rejection and thus socially helpless. Symptoms begin to appear in childhood, but are not usually diagnosed until adulthood, when relationships become too difficult to maintain in all areas, from social to professional.
In childhood, the inability to form positive and healthy relationships with adults or to develop friendships with peers occurs. Excessive shyness or reluctance to engage in everyday social interactions may also be signs of later development of avoidant personality disorder. Both temperament and environment seem to play a role in that the tendency to be extremely shy is innate. It is possible that the environment in which you were raised and the relationship you experienced as a child with an adult may affect the actual development of the disability.
Let’s take a look at the difficulties that people with avoidant personality disorder face in life, introduced by the US health information site ‘Psychology Today’.
hard to get a job
The isolated aspects of avoidant personality disorder also influence career choices. The modern work environment, which places increasing emphasis on belonging, teamwork, and collaboration in the workplace, creates a paradoxical situation for people with avoidant personality disorder. You want to have healthy relationships with others, but your fear of rejection and judgment is what precludes you from working in this environment. Interviews or meeting people can be terrifying for those who are afraid of making a mistake. This can prevent you from doing your job well, and can blow away your chances of getting a promotion to avoid fear of being judged short. It is good for these people to find work where possible social participation is not forced.
It’s hard to be attached to in a relationship
People with Avoidant Personality Disorder are also likely to experience Dependent Personality Disorder. Dependent Personality Disorder is a personality disorder in which one is too dependent on others to be accepted and valued. Once people with Avoidant Personality Disorder form a mutual attachment with others, they may show submissive commitment out of fear of rejection. Thus, the fear of rejection makes you cling to a relationship with a particular person and reduces your motivation to reach out to other potential friends or lovers.
People with avoidant personality disorder are at risk of misreading other people’s emotions as well as social cues. By observing others keenly and being overly wary of the actions of those around them, they notice their discomfort, tension, and separation. Thus, the lack of ability to participate comfortably in the social environment creates an environment in which the worst fear of being rejected by others becomes a reality.
Self-check for 7 symptoms of avoidant personality disorder
If you have 4 or more of the following symptoms, you may have avoidant personality disorder.
1. Avoid jobs that require a lot of interpersonal contact for fear of being criticized or rejected
2. Refuse to engage in a relationship if you are not sure that the other person will like you
3. Fear of embarrassment and ridicule, even in intimate relationships, prevents full engagement
4. Inability to relax in social settings due to persistent fear of rejection and opposition
5. Failing to be fully me in a new social environment because of feelings of inferiority or inferiority to others
6. Have a very negative perception of one’s social skills, personality, and abilities
7. Experiencing fears of embarrassment and humiliation so strongly that they are extremely reluctant to take personal risks or try new activities
Reporter Jeong Hee-eun [email protected]
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