Is Avoidance Personality disorder really a bad thing?

Question

Is Avoidance personality disorder really a disorder ?is it really bad and if yes why?
I don't really want people around me all the time, especially if they don't add positiveness to my life and maybe I am my own worst critic but that just makes me try do better.I like being alone most of the time and I don't like stress if it can be avoided ....isn't people with this "disorder" just normal...?

Answer 1

No,it is not a bad thing.Knowing you have this disorder is a good thing.I have Borderline Personality Disorder and at first when I found out I was angry. Then I accepted. I am in a group for this disorder... DBT. I am 100% that this group I meet with my learning is what was suppose to happen. I do not know of any groups for this yet but I maybe wrong.With this disorder you are your worst enemy and that is dangerous. Only 1% of the population in the US has this disorder. I don't know how shy you are or how hard it is for you to be in a relationship or to be around people. All the triggers that could set you off and make you feel horrible. There are things like "cutting, driving to fast shop lifting, sex, all these things are self harm traits of borderlines. Ask yourself... when you are having a bad day..Is it a bad thing,NO.Is it normal NO. That's why you and I need help. Please don't feel "bad" about it. Give the treatment (therapy,anti-depressants*) a try you may find how much better you could feel. *Only take anti-depressants if you feel right about them. Personally I do.

Answer 2

Avoidant Personality Disorder Wiki

Answer 3

Yes,it really is a disorder. Obviously 'normal' people can have a few symptoms of APD sometimes(in which case they have an Avoidant Personality Style-as in they like being alone most of the time,are sensitive and self conscious etc.) but someone who genuinely has APD will feel all those things more severely. APD can have huge impacts on your life, making it impossible for you to function normally and maintain relationships with people. APD is characteristed by PERVASIVE patterns of social inhibition,feelings of inadequecy, extreme sensitiviy to negative situations and avoiding social interaction-not just every now and then,but all the time.

Answer 4

Psychiatrists got away with calling homosexuality a disorder for while, until enough homosexuals got together and fought the label. "Disorders" are usually just quirks that aren't accepted by the general populace. I used to want to be a psychiatrist until I started doing some research on psychiatry.

Answer 5

personality disorders are something more than what u think it its...we all need our private space...so avoiding people isnt all that bad...there are so many people who would like others to be away from them so that they can be alone...there are people who cannot tolerate company...
now ...as a mental disorder it is much more than all this...personality disorders are basically distorted elements in one's personality that just doesnt go with the norms of the community...
what u are probably referring to is something like an introvertive character who don lyk meetin many people...but even if the worst comes to the worst...itz easy to recognise such a mental disorder...itz not jus lyk being an introvert...it means total seclusion from society...the person is kinda allergic and paranoid about other people...they have this suppresed feeling of inferiority which makes them loathe company...it sprouts from the feeling of inferiority...i believe...
so...as a mental disorder...avoiding people is of a much higher degree...and a general feeling of the need to be alone is not a mental disorder...it may be because of mood swings and things lyk that....

Answer 6

I don't think it's such a bad thing, unless of course you become really secluded, a hermit.
When I was young it was just called 'he/she/I like to keep to myself or like their own personality.

I got the below from Wikapedia and you can get more on it at this site; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avoidant_personality_disorder

Avoidant personality disorder (sometimes abbreviated APD or AvPD), or anxious personality disorder, is a personality disorder characterized by a pervasive pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, extreme sensitivity to negative evaluation and avoiding social interaction. People with avoidant personality disorder often consider themselves to be socially inept or personally unappealing, and avoid social interaction for fear of being ridiculed, humiliated, or disliked. They typically present themselves as loners and report feeling a sense of alienation from society.
Avoidant personality disorder usually is first noticed in early adulthood, and is associated with perceived or actual rejection by parent or peers during childhood. Whether the feeling of rejection is due to the extreme interpersonal wiki/Interpersonal monitoring attributed to people with the disorder is still disputed.

Answer 7

What you're describing is not Avoidant Personality Disorder, which is characterized by excessive shyness, fear of rejection, and an overwhelming sense of one's own shortcomings. You just sound like a loner and that is not a psychiatric disorder.

Answer 8

There's nothing wrong with enjoying your own company and being your own best friend. Lots of times I need to get away from everyone, just get off by myself. It's not out of fear or compulsion, I just need the space to myself.

Answer 9

If you are happy with yourself don't worry about the label.