How do you feel about AvPD?

Oct 04, 2013 at 12:05 PM

After my last meeting with my pdoc, I got a copy of the letter he sent to my gp, and I was shocked when I saw it said "possible personality disorder" he didn't say which one, but I had only heard of schizoid and borderline and I was sure I didn't have either of those, but then I found avoidant, and after reading many of the posts on here, I think it fits pretty well, but I wonder what did you think when you were diagnosed? do any of you think u just have social anxiety instead? what treatment do you receive for it? I just wana be prepared next time I see him in November, and wana find out more about things

thanks

A Red Panda · Oct 04, 2013 at 11:20 PM

Disclaimer: I am not diagnosed with Avoidant or any personality disorder. Just bipolar 2.

I do, however, relate extremely closely to AvPD and feel that it fits my personality quite perfectly. I feel frustrated by it, because it outlines all the things I struggle with in a very concise way. I don't actually have social anxiety, as I like people and I do like to be around people. I just can't DO things around people and I don't trust them and worry about rejection way too much. My T decided quite early to not bother working on managing my bipolar symptoms as I've got good control there, but has instead decided to work on my low self-esteem. We're doing DBT. He said CBT, but he's working with a DBT book so I think he made a mistake somewhere in there

I wouldn't be surprised if you were to start working on your self-esteem and then work on some exposure therapy challenges. To me, that sounds like a logical progression.

Oct 05, 2013 at 06:36 AM

I was also diagnosed with bipolar before pdoc decided it couldn't be that cos he said I didn't have big enough mood swings

self esteem issues is where I get stuck cos I think I am a fine human being. I don't think im a stupid loser at all. I think im intelligent, amusing, worthwhile and attractive. so this is where none of these diagnoses seem to fit in.

A Red Panda · Oct 05, 2013 at 07:16 AM

Cally - that's excellent to hear that you don't have issues with self-esteem!!!

I'm gonna try making a guess to see if I can get closer (or futher) to understanding you:
Do you think you're a good person (yes you do) but what do you think OTHER people think of you?

If you think you're great, but still think that other people are going to criticize, reject, or judge you allll the time... then AvPD would still fit a-ok.

What about the criteria do you think fits you or doesn't fit you? I think each symptom fits me EXCEPT I do not consider myself to be socially inept. I've actually got great social skills because I learned how to act!

Oct 05, 2013 at 08:32 AM

I feel similar to you in that respect. I actually think most of it fits me but is maybe more extreme that what I have, which makes me wonder if its just social anxiety. yes indeed, its as tho ive trained myself to smile, and be social. sometimes before I enter a room, I remind myself to smile and introduce myself and if they respond positively then no one will ever know anything is wrong. some people I get along great with straight away.

A Red Panda · Oct 05, 2013 at 10:56 AM

I adapted the approach of "hiding in plain sight" to survive the best. And then I DO get good results from it.

Even if I'm secretly terrified. haha.

Onward2wards · Oct 07, 2013 at 09:08 PM

"Hiding in plain sight" ... oooooh that feels familiar.

A Red Panda · Oct 07, 2013 at 10:16 PM

haha yeah... I like to think of it as going Chameleon. Or like a doppleganger.

I've got looooads of imagery to describe myself. rofl.

bronzeowl · Oct 11, 2013 at 01:24 PM

I like to think of myself as a ninja. Now you see me, now you don't.

I was told therapy. Lots of therapy.

I'm not sure I agree with avoidant 100%. I can see the similarities, it does kind of sound like me. But I don't feel like I avoid them for the reasons brought up in descriptions of it. I do have the feelings of inadequacy. So, maybe I am avoidant. I think with personality disorders, though, many people have trouble "accepting" the diagnosis. Although, I do suspect some other so far undiagnosed social disorder may be underlying. Hey, I'm not going to question it. For now, it kind of (kind of) fits.

Needsmet · Nov 13, 2013 at 04:35 PM

I dont know what all critera professionals use to determine who are Avoiodants and who are just depressed or socially awkward.

I wish I did.

I suspect that many many people are misdiagnosed because the symptoms for Avodants are much the same as these others.

Plus Avoidants seem to be good at lying. Not that they all do this on purpose. But Avodiants dont want people to know they are Avoidants to avoid rejection.

So they put on a good face and use laughter to cover up they feelings. So professionals often think that they are faking and just not telling the truth.

I was diagnosed a long time ago. But I think I was mostly relieved. For many years, I thought I was just messed up and there was no one else out there like me.

It was a relief to finally know what the problem was and that there were others out there just like me.

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Anonymous33206 Guest Posts: n/a	Oct 05, 2013 at 06:36 AM #3 I was also diagnosed with bipolar before pdoc decided it couldn't be that cos he said I didn't have big enough mood swings self esteem issues is where I get stuck cos I think I am a fine human being. I don't think im a stupid loser at all. I think im intelligent, amusing, worthwhile and attractive. so this is where none of these diagnoses seem to fit in.
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Onward2wards Magnate Member Since Jun 2010 Location: USA Posts: 2,283 13 2,137 hugs given	Oct 07, 2013 at 09:08 PM #7 "Hiding in plain sight" ... oooooh that feels familiar.
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