I have never been dx'd with Avoidant Disorder, but that isn't necessary for me to know I have it. The symptom are simple to understand. I had it as a child, but did not ofen experience the symptoms from the time I began to drink and drug at 14 until I quit both at 35. After that, I made sure to work constantly, so that I did not think about it. Symptoms became increasingly worse after I became disabled and unable to work. Now I have nothing to do BUT think about it, and it grows worse and worse. I am over 50. I don't think there is any certain age. I wonder if it's one of those things that, the more you ignore it [if you can], and better it gets. I DO know how hard it is to ignore! Remember that what other people think of us has less to do with us than with how we make them feel about themselves. billieJ