A person diagnosed with avoidant personality disorder has a pervasive pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts.
0.5% to 1% of the general population has avoidant personality disorder.
People with avoidant personality disorder will have a majority of the following symptoms:
extreme fear of rejection, disapproval and criticism
avoid careers that involve interpersonal contact
unless they are sure that they are liked, they are unwilling to get involved with others
have a barrier between their close ones due to fear of being shamed or jeered at
have difficulty beginning a new relationship because they feel insecure
their minds are filled with fears of being criticized or rejected in social situations
think that they are unappealing to other people
refuse to be involved in any new activity or to take personal risks
