From the moment a person is born, his or her personality .
adolescence, the individual explores a multitude of behaviors. .
Of all the behaviors, or personalities, the person experiences, .
one of them will stick with them until the day they die. .
Unfortunately, each specific personality also contain a .
personality disorder. Personality disorders can result in .
anxiety attacks, depression, and to a certain level, suicide. .
One of the most unique personality disorders is the Avoidant .
Personality Disorder. .
The DSM-IV (American Psychiatric Association, 1994) .
describes Avoidant Personality Disorder as: a persuasive pattern .
of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and .
hypersensitivity to negative evaluation, beginning by early .
childhood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by .
four (or more) of the following traits: .
1.) avoids occupational activities that involve .
significant interpersonal contact because of fears of .
criticism, disapproval, or rejection .
2.) is unwilling to get involved with people unless .
certain of being liked .
3.) shows restraint within intimate relationships .
because of the fear of being shamed or ridiculed .
4.) is preoccupied with being criticized or rejected in .
social situations .
5.) is inhibited in new interpersonal situations because .
of feelings of inadequacy .
6.) views self as socially inept, personally unappealing, .
or inferior to others .
7.) is usually reluctant to take personal risks or to .
engage in nay new activities because they may prove .
embarrassing .
Avoidant Personality Disorder usually starts at early .
adulthood. The American Psychiatric Association is convinced .
that an equal amount of men and women experience this personality .
disorder. According to one other study by Greenberg & .
Stravynski, more men are being referred for professional help .
than women (Long). The reason for this is because society .
usually expects men to be the initiators in relationships with .
