[iamanders]

Pax!
How do they diagnose someone with AvPD?

[Cranky Old Hermit]

According to the American Psychiatric Association, it's a widespread and persistent pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and fear of negative evaluation which starts by early adulthood, and that interferes with a person's functioning and/or causes significant distress. Also, at least four of the following must be present:

• Avoids occupational activities that involve significant interpersonal contact, because of fears of criticism, disapproval, or rejection
• Is unwilling to get involved with people unless certain of being liked
• Shows restraint within intimate relationships because of the fear of being shamed or ridiculed
• Is preoccupied with being criticized or rejected in social situations
• Is inhibited in new interpersonal situations because of feelings of inadequacy
• Views self as socially inept, personally unappealing, or inferior to others
• Is unusually reluctant to take personal risk or to engage in any new activities because they may prove embarrassing

[iamanders]

How the people at the psychiatry centre find our that an "avoidant" has some of these symptoms? Another problem I guess would the fact that "avoidants" avoid psychiatrists.

[Onward2wards]

What I find confusing is I can say a mild "Yes" to ALL of those criteria, except it isn't fully "active" all the time, it has triggers. When the trigger situations are met, BOOM! I'm 100% all those things until a specific situation changes. The rest of the time I'm just a somewhat brooding, slightly socially phobic person. Go figure that one out.

[RebbieDoll]

god, I'm a resounding YES to all of those. perhaps I should mention this to my therapist


wow I'm even anxious and uncomfortable posting this because what if I'm intruding or being stupid or rude or...etc