Avoidant Personality Disorder and Receiving Social Security Disability
Personality disorder is a broad term that is used for a type of mental illness in which the way that you relate to others, comprehend situations and the ways in which you think are dysfunctional. You may not realize that there are many different, specific kinds of personality disorders. A personality disorder is marked by a rigid and potentially self-destructive, self-denigrating manner of thinking and behaving regardless of what the situation is. This results in hampering your ability to carry out routine functions at work, school or social situations. It leads to distress in your life. You may or may not be aware that you have a personality disorder. This is due to believing that the way in which you act and think is natural. You may blame others for your circumstances. Nearly 15% of adults in the United States have some kind of personality disorder. This means that over 30 million Americans have some type of personality disorder. Avoidant personality disorder (AvPD) or (anxious personality disorder) is one of these forms of personality disorder. It is marked by a pervasive pattern of extreme sensitivity to negative evaluation, feelings of inadequacy, social inhibition and avoidance of social interaction. Avoidant personality disorder is a lifelong pattern of feeling extremely inadequate, shy and sensitive to rejection. Avoidant personality disorder occurs in about 0.5% to 1% of the general population. Men and women are affected equally by this disorder. No clear cause for avoidant personality disorder has been established. Some experts think that it has to do with genetics and how you were raised by your parents. There are some signs and symptoms that may indicate the presence of avoidant personality disorder. These include:- A reluctance to try a new activity or to take personal risks for fear of being embarrassed
- Being preoccupied with being rejected or criticized in social situations
- Being inhibited in new interpersonal situations because of feelings of inadequacy
- Avoiding occupational activities that involve a good amount of interpersonal contact because of being afraid of disapproval, rejection or criticism
- Viewing yourself as inferior to others, socially inept or personally unappealing
- Not willing to get involved with people unless you are sure of being liked.
