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People suffering from this disorder are socially inhibited due to a pervasive sense of inadequacy, lack of self-worth, inferiority, and lack of self-confidence. They are hypervigilant and hypersensitive. They perceive criticism and disagreement as rejection, ridicule, and shaming. Consequently, they avoid situations that require intensive and extensive interpersonal contact - such as attending school, making new friends, accepting a promotion, or teamwork activities.
Avoidants establish intimate relationships only with mates or spouses who accept them uncritically and unconditionally.
Avoidants are perceived by others as shy, timid, lonely, isolated, "invisible", quiet, reticent, unfriendly, tense, risk-averse, resistant to change (reluctant), restricted, "hysterical", and inhibited. It is a self-perpetuating cycle: the Avoidant's stilted mannerisms and stifled conduct elicit the very ridicule and derision that he or she so fears!
Avoidants doubt their own social competence and personal appeal. They fantasize about ideal relationships and social interactions but are unable to do anything to realize their fantasies.
Avoidants tend to self-deprecate and minimize the value of their skills and contributions, thus preempting inevitable criticism by colleagues, spouses, family members, and friends.
The disorder affects 0.5-1% of the general population (or up to 10% of outpatients seen in mental clinics). It is often comorbid with certain Mood and Anxiety Disorders, with the Dependent and Borderline Personality Disorders, and with the Cluster A personality disorder (Paranoid, Schizoid, and Schizotypal).
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