I'm pretty sure that you both have valid points - psychiatrists are experts in their field and thus have more knowledge and understand the difference better than we do. However, they're not infallible and they will ocassionally make mistakes - especially as we very rarely tell them and show them everything there is to know about us.

If you believe that their diagnosis is wrong, then you have the right to advocate for yourself. I think that calling them a liar isn't doing anything helpful for anyone - it's creating a divide when you should be trying to work as a team. They likely do believe that you have Avoidant PD and not social phobia - that's likely their genuine assessment. I'm sorry if people have treated you poorly, and don't give up on advocating for yourself.

But Hoasis didn't say anything wrong to you. Hoasis advised against self-diagnosis (which is what everyone on here will tell you and everyone else, even if loads of us are guilty of doing it!) and has a valid point that psychiatrists DO have more knowledge about different disorders than we do. (As I said above though, that doesn't mean that they know US better and they can only diagnose based off what they see and hear from us).

To Ithilanar: I'm glad that you're feeling supported and understood!! That's a great feeling to have. Feeling judged is the worst thing ever (ha! Part of AvPD right there!) so I am glad that you're not feeling that way. Keep posting and exploring the forum.