"Signs and symptoms People with avoidant personality disorder are preoccupied with their own shortcomings and form relationships with others only if they believe they will not be rejected. Loss and rejection are so painful that these individuals will choose to be lonely rather than risk trying to connect with others. They often view themselves with contempt,[3] while showing an increased inability to identify traits within themselves which are generally considered as positive within their societies.[12] Childhood emotional neglect—in particular, the rejection of a child by one or both parents—has been associated with an increased risk for the development of AvPD, as well as rejection by peers.[4] Hypersensitivity to rejection/criticism Self-imposed social isolation Extreme shyness or anxiety in social situations, though the person feels a strong desire for close relationships[13] Avoids physical contact because it has been associated with an unpleasant or painful stimulus Feelings of inadequacy Severe low self-esteem Self-loathing Mistrust of others Emotional distancing related to intimacy Highly self-conscious Self-critical about their problems relating to others Problems in occupational functioning Lonely self-perception, although others may find the relationship with them meaningful Feeling inferior to others In some more extreme cases — agoraphobia Utilizes fantasy as a form of escapism and to interrupt painful thoughts" #AVPD #personality_disorders #wikis #info #symptoms #correlations #pub