I think Indie might have been basing their response because of the title of the thread. I tend to have my thoughts on a thread based on the title - as that tends to say what it's about. Yours made me think that you were looking for validation as to whether or not others here think you might have AvPD.

Now that I know (through your second post) that you're looking for advice on how to cope with things, well... I'll try to give you my thoughts and how I went about things when I was younger. (I'm 29 right now, but I started to work on my social issues at a pretty early age!)

I couldn't stomach people always wanting me to either talk more, or talk less (this is probably how the bipolar showed itself when I was younger to at least some degree). I couldn't figure out the perfect balance so that I could just fit in.

I started out by just BEING somewhere. Not really working on interacting, but by learning how to simply be somewhere and be comfortable there on my own. I am still working with this challenge, over a decade later! I have a hard time getting over the annoying unrealistic belief that everyone else is watching me and juding me for being alone.

I can recognize that it is UTTERLY ridiculous and self-centered to think that... and yet I always worry about it anyway. That just one person will be judging me. I tend to combat that with "Well, they won't ever see me again so it's ok". Hence why I can do things like going out an eating a meal solo... but not in whatever town I live in, because there's a chance I'd see them again. Haven't quite figured out how to get over that hurdle, but at least I'm making some progress.

As to social aspects... it's hard to do! I tend to talk to people I work with, and eventually meet other people through them. I'm not brave enough to join classes to meet people with similar interests, but it'd be a great way to start forming friendships. It's not like you'd HAVE to talk to them right away, but as you get familiar in the environment you'd find it easier to open up again.

Umm. As to how to start trusting people and things like that? I actually have no idea.

((On my own personal note.... I think the level of difficulty I am having in trying to be helpful to you sorta strengthens my own beleif that yes, Avoidant fits me)).

Welcome to PC btw!