Avoidant personality disorder


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Avoidant personality disorder


Avoidant personality disorder causes a person to avoid interaction with other people, especially if the interaction involves a new activity that may prove embarrassing. The person has difficulty maintaining jobs working with other people, difficulty maintaining relationships, and views others to be socially superior.

The fear associated with avoidant personality disorder stems from low self-esteem, shyness, and being overly sensitive to negative evaluation by others. Avoidant personality disorder may be a more severe form of social anxiety disorder (another disorder that causes fear of being ridiculed in public).

Credits


Author Jeannette Curtis
Author Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Editor Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Editor Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Last Updated May 25, 2007

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Last updated: May 25, 2007
Author: Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By: Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Editors: Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC

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