Avoidant Personality Disorder (APD)

1. Introduction

People with avoidant personality disorder (APD) display a pattern of behaviour which begins early during their teenage years, with some traits such as extreme anxiety, shyness, feelings of inadequacy and fear of being rejected. (Drago, Marogna & Sogaard, 2016). Nowadays, about 1 to 2% of the world population suffer from APD (Sanislow, Bartolini & Zoloth, 2012). Those people tend to avoid social contact because they are afraid of criticisms and judgements from others. Moreover, the fear of rejection makes them want to be lonely rather than have close relationships, in the belief that they will be neglected due to their detached behaviours (Furnham, 2017). All of this has a negative impact on patient’s life and makes it difficult

This condition was classified as Cluster C, a category for & fearful anxious disorders, and acknowledged in the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) in 1980, according to Furnham (2017) . He also stated that APD is equally common between two sexes and is estimated to affect from 0.5% to 1% of the world population, althought DSM suggests that the figure was approximtely 2.4 %, and from 10% to 20% of psychiatric

However, they are separate two diseases, and the differences between them are their different ways of treatment and APD is likely to develop better results during the early period of treatment (Draco et al., 2016).

2.2. Symptoms of APD

Gluck (2014) stated that APD initial signs appear during early years, but often seem to be normal until late adolescence. Nearly all children express some anxiety and shyness when interact with new people or situations; these behaviours seem to be normal, they only become a big trouble if continue during adulthood.

As reported by Goldberg (cited in WebMD, n.d.), APD individuals have a tendency to avoid speaking in social situations for fear of getting embarrassed due to saying something wrong. They also avoid social activities because of their fear of being criticized or rejected, and this leads to the feelings of uncomfortable, socially inept and inferior to others.

Gluck (2014) also noted that some of APD symtoms can be visibly seen in many circumstances, but there are also some symtoms happen inside their experiences which can not be spoted by naked eyes.

2.3. Causes of