My therapist says I have this

From what I've read, it sounds a lot like me, I just thought I was an introvert but I have touch issues and intimacy issues etc too so this could be fitting

I have a few questions

--Is there any way to actually fix this or is it something I am stuck with?

--can someone have this even if at earlier points in life they had more friends and did more things with people??

--How is this different from being an introvert?

I'm sorry I cannot really address your concerns. However here are links to some articles from PsychCentral's archives on the subject of Avoidant Personality Disorder:

https://psychcentral.com/disorders/a...lity-disorder/

https://psychcentral.com/disorders/a...der/treatment/

https://psychcentral.com/blog/5-step...lity-disorder/

https://pro.psychcentral.com/exhaust...lity-disorder/

Also, here's a link to a video on the subject of Avoidant Personality Disorder from family therapist Kati Morton:

I don't know all of the answers to your questions, but can give you some sense of assistance by telling you how therapy has helped me.

--Is there any way to actually fix this or is it something I am stuck with?

Personality Disorders are considered life-long. That doesn't mean that you can't make changes in order to be happier and less avoidant. It's very hard work w/a T who is willing (and knowledgeable) about what you need.

--can someone have this even if at earlier points in life they had more friends and did more things with people??

Yes. I was a social butterfly in HS and dated in college. I had very good friends in my past, but eventually problems in my childhood (of which I was mostly ignorant about) caught up and surfaced as serious cognitive deficits. What you might think was no big deal is a big deal...

--How is this different from being an introvert?

I'm an introvert - very sensitive. I don't know the answer to this question, except to tell you that Personality Disorders present w/signs that are different than just being introverted. This would be a good question for the T you choose to go through therapy with...if you so choose that route.

I wish you the best. If you go to therapy, even w/the an exceptional T, you'll have a rough go of it - fear of abandonment, contact outside of therapy issues, lots of surprises about yourself that you don't now know. It's been worth it for me in the past 2-1/2 years. And many times I've wanted to (or almost) terminated. The best advice anyone on PC can give, I think, is to find the right T. You'll hopefully feel it when you do.

oh man, seeing this post coupled with the fact that my T mentioned something about "personality issues" last session makes me terrified this is what she is getting at.

I am also an introvert, and also was way more social in HS/College. But also it is harder to make friends after college, and this is coupled with depression and anxiety too, so how would you know!?

(no way i would actually ask my T this unless she brings it up first)

AvPD isn't a timing of friends for starters, so lets put a line through that.

The therapist would be required to treat you as valuable and your needs as valid. A therapist who is barely competent could do great harm, especially if lacking in empathy . But a good therapist is worth looking for ..

I have diagnosed myself with this. I think all introverts have this a bit. But AVPD is generally a more serious keeping of the behavior until it is causing problems in your life. For instance, I cannot -- CANNOT -- say hello to people first even if I know they know me.

You can get better. I believe cognitive behavior therapy is used for it.