Is it AvPD, or Social Anxiety?

Hi Medicated,

I'm a seasoned veteran of interacting with therapists. Most of them really do mean well and are generally trying their best to be helpful. However, because a person is a professional with letters after his or her name (like MSW or LPCC or whatever), that is no guarantee that this person won't express his or her frustration in a manner that can be hurtful to you. The therapist's frustration is not your problem. It becomes a problem for you when you are spoken to as one who is difficult to work with. I generally believe that constitutes a "cheap shot." I've been there and I've found it hurtful.

Therapists are all too human and apt to get annoyed with us sometimes. They wish our problems would be less [I]unyielding[I] to their interventions. Dang it - we wish the same thing. But our problems are very tough nuts to crack. I specifically mean problems with interpersonal relations. I look at it this way: If my therapist finds me difficult to relate to/work with - well, duh - would I be sitting in that office if social interaction was a breeze for me?

I may be getting a little off your topic. Main thing is - Stick to feeling strongly about your goals. Sounds to me like you've got a better grasp of your situation than your therapist has. I hate to suggest this, but sometimes one-on-one therapy is not terribly productive for overcoming certain problems. It hasn't been for me. I was in a "Partial Hospitalization Program" due to severe depression as a result of my social isolation. I had to be there several hours a day for several days a week. I was part of a group of peers. Being part of that group for a few months taught me more than years and years of seeing therapists alone in an office.

Lastly, it sounds to me like you've got basically good instincts. Don't be intimidated from following them.

Bingo. Also the part about the deep dark secret is spot on. Spot on. I am an AvPD to the core. And the interesting thing is that I've taken care of a lot of the social anxiety, but the avoidant part just goes deeper inside. As an ex told me recently, it's like there's an invisible wall holding me back.

Now does anyone have any kind of treatment plan that's worked for them?