Diagnosis Dictionary

Avoidant Personality Disorder

Many of us struggle with shyness, but 1 percent of the population suffers from avoidant personality disorder. Extreme shyness and fear of rejection make it difficult to interact socially and professionally.

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Avoidant Personality Disorder is a psychiatric condition characterized by a lifelong pattern of extreme shyness, feelings of inadequacy, and sensitivity to rejection.

Personality disorders are long-lived patterns of behavior that cause problems with work and relationships. About 1 percent of the population has this disorder, which is equally divided between the sexes. An estimated 14.8 percent of American adults meet standard diagnostic criteria for at least one personality disorder.

Avoidant Personality Disorder. Last reviewed 12/13/2007

Sources:

  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
  • Journal of Clinical Psychiatry
  • National Library of Medicine