#socialphobiaanswer

[avpdcommunity]

i fit both symptoms of social anxiety + avpd, and im sure that i have social anxiety but unsure about avpd. im wondering if maybe my social anxiety could just be so bad that its also making me fear/avoid interpersonal relationships/interactions + making friends + getting a job in addition to general/superficial social interactions? or does that just mean its avpd? sorry if this ask doesnt make sense idk how else to word it..

Hey there. 

Social anxiety and AvPD can be co-morbid, so it is possible to have both. It is also possible to just have one. Since the symptoms between the two conditions often overlap, it can sometimes be difficult to really pinpoint which one is culprit. For this reason, I recommend that you see a mental health professional to help you sort through how you’re feeling. Unfortunately, we here at AvPD Community can’t diagnose you, but we are here to support you and provide resources where ever we can. 

Here are some resources that may help you in the meantime:

AvPD or Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) Avoidance (forum) 

What is the difference between Social Anxiety and AvPD? 

How would Social Anxiety manifest versus AvPD?

I also recommend that you check out our Answers Directory(link) for yourself and have a skim over our previously answered asks to see if there is anything in there that sticks out as being potentially useful for you in there. 

If you have any more concerns, feel free to send us another message. - Jay. 

[avpdcommunity]

Hi, is it possible/common to develop AVPD from social anxiety disorder or if more symptoms overlap it's considered a worse case of SAD? Also you're doing a great job with your blog, thanks!

Hey. On behalf of AvPD Community, thank you for the compliment! 

In brief, while there are similarities between SAD and AVPD, there are also significant differences. In the simplest sense, SAD is anxiety disorder triggered by general social interactions, while AvPD is a personality disorder that affects a person’s ability to create and maintain interpersonal relationships. Therefore, the severity of someone’s SAD symptoms would not correlate to meeting the diagnostic criteria for AvPD. This topic has been discussed in the past, so I encourage you to read more about the differences and similarities here / here / and here. 

However, it should be noted that social anxiety can sometimes be a precursor to developing AvPD and the disorders also have a high comorbidity rate. 

I hope this has helped!

- Tollie

[avpdcommunity]

Hi. Hope this hasn't been asked before. I've been wondering if I have AvPD for a while, and am planning to see someone about it (though I'm still working up the courage to do so). I was wondering if a PD developing from mental illness or vice versa was a thing that happens or is possible? I feel like I developed AvPD as a way to deal with depression and anxiety (esp social anxiety), and I know a lot of symptoms overlap, so I'm confused and scared. Sorry again to bother you. Thank you so much!!

Hey. 

The definitive cause of AvPD is not known but in general PD’s are believed to be caused by a combination of different biological, psychological, and social factors experienced throughout a person’s childhood, and up to their early adulthood. Common factors are timidness/shyness, parental neglect, and peer rejection. 

In my experience, depression/anxiety do not cause AvPD, but in people who are already at risk or predisposed to developing AvPD, depressive symptoms and social anxiety may be a precursor and if left untreated, may lead to AvPD months or years down the track. This isn’t to say that everyone with SAD will develop AvPD, it is usually it’s own condition separate from AvPD.

Hope this answers your question. Remember to check out of What Is AvPD?(link) page and our Information(link) and Answers Directory(link) for more information. - Jay. 

[avpdcommunity]

is it /possible/ to have avpd if i can still force myself to socialize and not show external signs of discomfort? even though i'm still quiet and awkward, i don't get panicked? i'm a self-hating Mess internally who constantly wants to die so ppl won't hate me or think i'm a snob who doesn't want to talk to anybody, but i don't let it show. and i force myself to be open with my loved ones even tho it lowkey Kills Me. does that disqualify me?

Hi.

If you are worried about yourself or someone you know, please use our crisis support services on our Crisis Support page. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, always call emergency services in your area as soon as possible. It is better to be safe, than sorry.

Now, what you describe sounds closer to Social Anxiety Disorder than AvPD, but it is possible to have both. SAD and AvPD are very often co-morbid. However I cannot diagnosis you as I am not a professional. 

I recommend that you check out these resources on some of the differences between SAD and AvPD:

What is the difference between Social Anxiety and AvPD? 

How would Social Anxiety manifest versus AvPD? 

AvPD or Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) Avoidance (forum) 

Cluster C Personality Disorders (PD’s), and Anxiety Disorder (AD) Co-Morbidity  

/tagged/socialphobiaanswer

Being “disqualified” from having AvPD does not mean that your experiences are any less difficult, any less valid than if you did. And if you do meet criteria for diagnosis that does not mean that your struggles are any more difficult than someone who doesn’t.

I know that this website often pushes the ‘starving African child’ culture, where you may be pushed to be/have the worst circumstances in order to be valid and not brushed off, but I’ll let you in on a secret: There is no 'AvPD Club’ and people with PD’s do not necessarily have it any worse or any better than someone who doesn’t.

Different illnesses affect different people in different ways and instead of supporting one another, this website often tries to pit people against each other and it’s a culture we should all make an effort to end.

Regardless of whether you have AvPD or SAD, or both, our blog is always open if you need advice, support, or resources.

Take care. - Jay.

[avpdcommunity]

:( Ahh I don't have anyone else to talk to, but I'm going to a concert tonight and it's going to be loud and packed and scary. I can't back out but I'm really worried it's going to set me off (just venting, but advice is welcome)

Hey there.

Some things I find help me in crowded environments (I have sensory issues associated with autism, so they may be more applicable to that, but you may still find them helpful!):

(Noise cancelling) Headphones, earmuffs or earplugs

Identifying places I can escape to if I need time alone

Bringing comforting items or items I can fiddle with

Having a friend with me who is aware that I may need to leave, or need to be calmed down (this is probably going to be difficult if you have AvPD, but if you can let someone know about your anxieties, they may be able to help you manage them)

Having relaxation techniques you can use if you feel yourself becoming stressed. Here are links to two such techniques (1), (2)

Have a non-verbal form of communication ready, in case a part of your panic response is becoming non-verbal (typing on your phone, for example)

Make sure you know how you’re getting home, and have a plan for if you need to get home early

I hope that gives you some ideas for how to handle the concert. I hope you are able to have a good time! You’re very brave for putting yourself out there and trying something new.

- Liese

[avpdcommunity]

(1/2) Hi, I kind of stumbled over avpd today and thought "huh, some of this sounds pretty normal to me" so I read more and now I am confused. It's nearly impossible for me to speak in groups I don't know that well because my fear of embarrassment. I take every critic personal and if I'm not absolutely sure that I have done good (work, group projects), I am anxious for the next days that someone will shout at me any time. (sorry for this long ask >.<)

(2/2) there are two exceptions I can think about. 1. I know from experience that my relationship to a specific person or group continued to be good even after being criticized (still hell on earth but I start to manage. 2. I'm hypomanic (BP NOS). So, is it possible to have avpd even if you are able to work on it in certain groups? Thanks in advance

Hi there. Yes, it is possible that people with AvPD can become comfortable enough around certain groups of people that mistakes (or perceived mistakes) do not trigger an avoidant episode. Generally, these are people we consider to be our “safe people”, as they have proven that they will not judge us/hate us/hurt us/reject us. We are less symptomatic around them as we don’t feel like we need to use avoidance to protect ourselves.

So yes, it is possible to have AvPD even if there are some groups of people you are not symptomatic around.

That said, I can’t say from this ask whether or not you have AvPD. It is also possible that you could have Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). Often, people with AvPD are able to be calmer around people they don’t know well, as there is no deep relationship that could lead to a lot of pain if the AvPDer is rejected. 

If a stranger rejects you, it’s not as bad because they weren’t close to you. This is one of the reasons why the pattern of avoidance emerges - due to a fear of people rejecting you once they get close enough to see the “real you”. You can handle strangers, but the moment you start forming close relationships, you panic and start to avoid them out of fear of rejection.

So... Yes, you could be experiencing symptoms of AvPD, but I cannot say whether or not this is AvPD or SAD from a short message! I would recommend taking your concerns to a therapist and discussing your symptoms with them. You can always go through the DSM-5 AvPD criteria (here(x)) and the DSM-5 SAD criteria (here(x)) beforehand to make notes next to which symptoms you feel you have, and then take the lists to a therapist to discuss them.

We have some info about contacting therapists on our self-help page here(x).

I hope that is helpful to you! Please feel free to send us another message if you have more questions.

- Liese

[avpdcommunity]

I don't see a lot about people with avpd and how they cope with the embarrassment of a situation. for me if I do something I feel was wrong when interacting with someone, I feel embarrassed for a day or if it's something I consider really bad, it takes me a couple days of a week to get over. and I mean I can't get it out of my head and I feel like crawling under a rock and I can't cope with the feeling of shame. is this avpd or something else? it is severe embarrassment over everything

Hey there. 

This sounds more like social anxiety - but this is only one symptom and we can’t definitely say what its cause is. That would be a job for a mental health professional. 

I really suggest you check out the following links and give the mentioned coping mechanisms a try. They may seem too hard or even silly at first, but challenging mental health problems is all about going back to basics and retraining your brain to think differently and cope with issues healthily. 

Worry Zones Guide. 

Worry Tree Infosheet

Fact Or Opinion Guide

What is Rumination? Info Sheet

12 Module Coping With Social Anxiety

All of these links, and more can be found on our Self-Help page. In addition to these links, you should skim over our entire Self-Help category yourself because there may be over resources that grab your attention that I may not have suggested. 

Hope this helps. - Jay. 

[avpdcommunity]

hii! is it possible to have avpd but not really be shy? i can message people kind things or say hi or congratulations and ask abt their day but i am totally unable to talk abt myself in convos or create deep relationships at all and i often stop talking to people altogether,, but im able to keep up with shallow interactions? alsoo its really only online that i am able to bc ive habituated to it (i can hardly function irl), is that normal for someone with avpd? (thank you for your time!!)

Hey.

Yes, it is possible to have AvPD without being shy. While it is very common for people with AvPD to be shy or have social anxiety disorder (SAD), these symptoms aren’t always present nor are they required for diagnosis. 

I recommend you have a read through these asks: 

How would Social Anxiety manifest versus AvPD? 

What is the difference between Social Anxiety and AvPD? 

AvPD or Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)- Avoidance (forum) [read the second entry for most relevent information].

They go into more detail about the difference between AvPD and SAD. The symptoms of SAD do not need to be present for a diagnosis of AvPD. 

Hope this helps. - Jay.