I tend to avoid everyone

Although I have not been officially diagnosed by a doctor or anything, I believe that I may have this Avoidant Personality Disorder. I have a tendency to avoid pretty much everyone, even my own family members. It's not that I don't like them, it's just that sometimes I start feeling like I don't want to be around them or for some reason I'm simply annoyed by their presence. I especially don't like being around people that I don't know, or don't know me. A big reason for this is that I'm so different from normal people and I can't seem to relate to anyone. If I'm with a group of people that are talking about sports, I won't say anything because I don't watch sports. If I'm with a group of people who are talking about Harry Potter (a book series which I am a bit obsessed with) I might say something, but only if someone directly asks me for my opinion. I'm afraid to speak my mind without being prompted, if I do I'll feel embarrassed and anxious or feel like I'm being rude, and I'm worried that no one will respond or that no one will care in which case I get even more anxious.

Anyone have any advice?
Is it possible for me to be medicated for this?

I have no advice, just a friendly I can relate. We are looking for the solution to this, not an easy search.

Good Luck to you!

I can relate too.

lol I'm sorry but I looked at our status updates:

Depressed
Lonely
Sad

I dont know why but that made me laugh.

I don't mean this as a joke, but I think alcohol has been much used in an attempt to "self-medicate" for this problem. When I became old enough to try that remedy, I did and I thought for awhile that it took away the self-consciousness. Still, the basic trait of feeling in fear of mishandling social encounters remained unshaken. So, I didn't become a big drinker. I was ordered a med that was supposed to help - I think it was propranolol, a beta blocker. It didn't help me. Valium was ordered once, too. It didn't help, either. So, I've given up on medication as a help.

sounds like you are just starting down this path. theres a cheerful thought. after 53 years of thinking like you I dont have any friends or people to worry about being annoyed by or intimidated by. My parents are old and near death, my older sister (with issues of her own) has told me no one in the family ever wants to speak with me again. so something to look forward too. as long as you can learn to be okay with living in complete solitary confinement. good luck

I sure feel for you, because I know how it is. Like someone above I was given propranolol and didn't find it useful, at all. (The Trade name is Inderal.) I think it is more useful for people who have stage fright, but not a general social avoidant tendency.

In reading up on this disorder, I read that some who have it will avoid people outside their family, but be very interactive at home. That often applies, especially, to very young people. That's how I was as a child.

So, if you are avoiding even family member, then it sounds like you might have more than Avoidant Personality Disorder going on. I have come to believe that these disorders that come into our lives tend to bring other disorders with them.

I do think you have done a good job of making a preliminary identification of your problem. No, I don't think it can be medicated away. You might have a few problems, and there might be one amongst them that can respond to medication. Getting professional help could be a way to explore some possible things to help you feel less anxious. It's not good to go through life avoiding pretty much everyone. On the other hand, it's not good interacting only to feel repeatedly hurt/rejected/excluded.

I feel for you, because in my own experience with AVP, it seems that I ricochet back and forth between those two things. I get awful discouraged. I've had successes, though. You might have noticed you do better in a structured encounter, like on a job - where you kind of have a script to follow. I did real well in some workplace environments. It took a lot of false starts to find jobs I did well in.

I hope you will keep posting and not give up on finding some outlet for your "animated" self. It is tragic to live as an outcast, even when it feels like our own decision. You have something to offer that only you have. You have value and need to be valued by others. Getting that to happen will probably take a huge effort, but I think trying is better than the alternative.

Sorry, I don't have any advice either. But, I can totally relate to what your going through.