Wow, I have just read up on Avoidant Personality Disorder, and I am thinking why has not anyone - friend, fo, or doctor, within my 54 years of life ever tell me about this? I have never heard about it! This is so me! Most of the time, I do not like being around other people. I know that depression can make these feelings worse and these feelings can make the depression worse. If/when I am manic, I am completely opposite. I like myself and everyone around me. I am happy. So I ask you what should be our NORMAL behavior? Why do they try so hard to help us get back to our normal behavior. If we had any sense about us, wouldn't we choose the HAPPY behaviors? I know I would like it better!