Avoidant Personality Disorder

Avoidant personality disorder is characterized by extreme social inhibition (shyness), feelings of  inadequacy, and acute sensitivity to actual or perceived rejection. While most people have certainly feelings of insecurity, for people with avoidant personality disorder these feelings are extremely intense and lead to an avoidance of social interaction that negatively impacts their day-to-day life.  

Demographics (for lifetime prevalence)2 Sex and race were not found to be associated with personality disorders.
Average Age of Onset: not reported. Prevalence. 12-month prevalence: 5.2% of U.S. adult population1 Severe: not reported. Lifetime prevalence: not reported. Treatment/Service Use
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1Lenzenweger MF, Lane MC, Loranger AW, Kessler RC (2007). DSM-IV personality disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Biological Psychiatry, 62(6), 553-564.
2Ibid
3Ibid