I will be looking at "Anxious" personality disorders in this paper; in particular avoidant personality disorder and a social anxiety disorder. Although social anxiety disorder is not classified under personality disorders most theorists believe that the two disorders reflect the same psychopathology and should in fact be combined (Comer, p. 503). I will be discussing some of the behaviors that I have displayed, that could be seen as a potential problem if no coping skills were in place. I will also discuss the disorder as if I did have it and what treatment I could obtain if, in fact, I did have such disorder. In closing I will discuss how taking a look at my own behaviors in this manner gives me insight into how one could need therapy and not seek it. .
My Dimensional Relationship with Avoidant Personality Disorder.
Avoidant personality disorder, also known as anxious personality disorder, is a Cluster C personality disorder recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders handbook. People with this disorder are very uncomfortable in social situations, overwhelmed by feelings of inadequacy, and sensitive to negative criticism (APA, 2013). They also fear being rejected (Comer, p.501). A "dimension" of AvPD is Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia; this is an intense fear of becoming extremely anxious and possibly humiliated in social situations; specifically of embarrassing yourself in front of other people (Comer,p.132). I will discuss the criteria for these disorders as presented in the DSM-V. Comer also states that many people that have one of these disorders also experience the other. Some theorists believe that there are key differences, namely people with social anxiety disorder primarily fear social circumstances, while people with personality disorder tend to fear close social relationships (Comer, p.502). Other theorists say the two disorders should be combined because the two share core psychopathology (Comer, p.
