User:Mr. Ibrahem/Avoidant personality disorder

Avoidant personality disorder (AvPD) is a personality disorder characterized by a long term pattern of an excessive fear of social rejection and feelings of inadequacy. This results in the active avoidance of interpersonal contact both in work and social situations. Symptoms are present by at least early adulthood. Associated disorder may include depression, substance use, and eating disorders.

Risk factors include family history and childhood emotional neglect. Diagnosis requires symptoms to be of a degree that affects functioning and the taking into account of cultural and ethnic norms. It is a cluster C personality disorder. Some view it as a severe form of social anxiety disorder.

Treatment may involve cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal therapy. About half of people improve within 10 years. About 2% of people are affected. Women and men appear to be affected equally frequently. It was introduce in 1980 in the DSM III.